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The San Francisco Examiner said that the ruckus erupted because of an "ideological rift in the City's Gay Community." Some, according to the Examiner, blamed police, while others, including Center officials, saw things differently. At the beginning of the protest, Center staff members reported that they talked with protesters and informed them that several activities were occurring within the building including support groups, workshops, classes and other events and that every person coming into the building would not necessarily be event attendees. Center staff members told protesters that they were welcome to demonstrate outside of the building and hand-out leaflets to people. Organizers of the protest were asked not to intimidate visitors or disrupt any events and activities occurring in the building. Organizers of the protest agreed that they would remain outside, not disrupt events nor intimidate visitors. For much of the protest, most of the demonstrators observed this agreement. As the evening progressed, some of the protesters entered the building to use The Center's restrooms or other facilities. Among the protesters, said Center observers, were some who repeatedly entered the building and attempted to disrupt Hot Pink. They were asked to leave and were not arrested. Other protesters reportedly accessed the roof of the building next door to The Center and were removed but not arrested.
"When Gavin Newsom entered the building many of the protesters attempted to follow him inside. At this point, the police formed a line outside of the building not allowing the protesters to enter. As the police and protesters became more agitated, two Center staff members stood between the police and the protesters and repeatedly urged everyone to calm down. Most of the protesters at this point had calmed down. However, one of the protesters repeatedly attempted to break through the police line and continuously bumped into the police. "This protester was told by police at least three times not to do this or he would be struck. One Center staff person pleaded with this protester to not continue and urged calm. That protester continued to bump into the police and was repeatedly shoved with increasing force away from the police line. "Eventually, the police attempted to take the protester into custody and the protester resisted. With the door to the building now open several protesters advanced onto the building and attempted to pry open the doors and cross the police line. At this point the police, under their own authority, advanced into the crowd with batons out, striking protesters. "Several protesters were injured by the police and four people were arrested. The Center has been in ongoing contact with several of the protest organizers immediately after the incident and throughout the weekend. The Center has not and will not be pressing any charges. The Center began contact on Friday with the District Attorney's office, City Supervisors and the San Francisco Police Department to communicate that The Center is not pressing charges. "The Center supports non-violent protest and will continue to do so. The Center does not support the disruption of events and activities but instead strives to create opportunities for the diversity of opinion within our communities to be expressed through dialogue." |
The San Francisco Community Center
was the site on Thursday evening of a Gay Shame protest
that saw violence and arrests 
Members of Gay Shame protest at an earlier event