Police Beat Peaceful Singing Protesters at April Fools Day Pro-America Rally

********MEDIA ADVISORY*************FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE********

Peaceful Event in Union Square Attacked and Brutalized by SFPD
2.2.04

Last evening, Thursday April 1st, a group of activists held their 2nd annual April Fool’s Day Pro-America Parade. The event was planned as a peaceful march on the sidewalks through the tourists and downtown shopping districts, and was to include street theater and singing.

The march was closing in then middle of Union Square with the 50 participants saluting the American flag and singing a rendition of a patriotic song, when an SFPD squadron provoked a dangerous police riot. Dozens of unprovoked, young, and unruly officers took Union Square by storm, brandishing their weapons, and causing a frightened crowd to scatter for safety. This irresponsible melee resulted in countless injuries to uninvolved bystanders, the brutalization of march participants, and trumped up charges for four “patriotic Americans” who were arrested. Perhaps most disturbing is that the SFPD was acting under the direction of a Neiman Marcus employee, who was allowed to participate in the policing and bashing of event participants.

One participant was picked up and thrown to the ground by a police officer, only then to be charged by another officer from a fifty-foot distance and kneed in the back. This participant was punched in the face multiple times and is now being charged with three misdemeanors, including battery on a police officer.

Another participant, who had tried to escape the dangerous scene to document the police brutality, was thrown off of their bike and rammed, chest first, into a marble pillar. After the bashing this protester is being held under 56,000 bail for felony and misdemeanor charges.

In addition to the brutalization of march participants, 911 was called for an elderly bystander who was smashed with a police baton, and SFPD members caused a woman to sprain her ankle when they threw a march participant at her.

There was no part of this demonstration that warranted such overzealous and violent use of force. Even when one considers the flimsy allegations made by the SFPD and Neiman Marcus, that a fluid was spilled during one of the street performances that vandalized a business, there is still no excuse for the use of brute force to violently attack such a small and peaceful gathering. Such use of police terror to intimidate peaceful gatherings can only be seen as a plan to silence activists and to criminalize free speech at any bloody cost. We demand that District Attorney Kamala Harris drop the unfair charges of all march participants.

Press Contact :
Billee
415.756.3029

PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS PLEASE NOTE:
We are also looking for any photos or footage from the protest. Please either get in touch with the press contact.