In Pictures

Gallery|Racism

US anti-racists counter hate

Thousands respond to right wing rallies planned in San Francisco and Berkeley, claiming victory as marches cancelled.

Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Hundreds gather outside Alamo Square on Saturday morning after police closed off the park following an announcement that Joey Gibson, of right wing group Patriot Prayer, would be holding a press conference there. The group cancelled its original rally in Crissy Field the previous day after opposition mounted. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
By Kelly Lynn Lunde
Published On 28 Aug 2017

The Bay Area mobilised thousands in response to right-wing rallies planned in San Francisco and Berkeley this weekend in California.

Plans by right-wing groups mostly fizzled out after facing growing opposition by local communities, who claimed victory against hate and white supremacy.

Saturday saw several marches from different locations across San Francisco, forcing the right-wing group Patriot Prayer to cancel its event at Crissy Field and change its plans repeatedly.

Across the bay in Berkeley, a city with both a historic reputation for civil rights battles and a recent spate of clashes between leftists and right-wing groups, thousands showed up the following day to a counter a “No To Marxism In America” event that was also called off by its organiser at the last minute.

Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Tiffany Santana, 28, performs a traditional Native dance at a cross street of San Francisco's Alamo Square Park with indigenous dancers from multiple tribes. 'We came out in support of those who are at different levels of able bodiedness and status, and who are in fear.'  She says the group came after several undocumented teens expressed their frustration at wanting to participate but feeling afraid. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
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Demonstrators make their way into the Mission neighbourhood after gathering at Alamo Square. Activists ultimately broke through, gathering together before beginning the march. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Local teens from Bikelife, an organised group. ride down Mission Street after demonstrators ended their march in one of the most aggressively gentrified areas of San Francisco. Locals took the opportunity to educate participants on the changing face of the community and the challenges it continues to face. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
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'There’s no reason for us to stay inside when there's love to be shared,' says 27-year-old Courtney Russel (centre). She performed with the burlesque clown troupe, Fou Fou Ha, in front of City Hall in San Francisco during a gathering to end the day. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
'When we heard about this event, we wanted to express the values of our community without confrontation,' says Berkeley resident Dibsy Matcha (left). She and others put up signs in anticipation of right wing activists. 'We feel passionate and frustrated and wanted to do something,' says Brigitte Yeh (centre) adjusting a sign with friend Robin Miller. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
'How could we not come? How can you not be in support of something that seeks to get rid of hate?' says Marge Lasky, 77 of Grandmother’s Against War. The women began organising in 2005 in response to the invasion of Iraq and saw the day as an equally pressing domestic issue. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
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Fatima Asi (top left) stands with her sister Mariam and daughters Noura, Maria, and Jenna. 'We came out to support the anti-fascist demonstration and speak up against the intolerance that is spreading throughout the country,' says Fatima. '[Children] need to be aware of what's happening and they will be growing up in this culture and hopefully we will improve it.' [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Police arrest a young protester during a march from near the University of California, Berkeley, to Martin Luther King Jr Civic Center Park on Sunday morning. Police arrested 12 people during the day, including black-clad antifa members who drove out several right-wing activists from the park. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Trump supporters stand opposite hundreds of opposition protesters in Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr Civic Center Park.  A small number of other right-wing activists were vastly outnumbered by crowds gathering under the hashtag 'Berkeley United Against Hate.' [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Berkeley police prepare their riot gear. The National Lawyers Guild later reported that those arrested were not allowed to see a lawyer for several hours, including those with medication needs. [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
Bay Area Shuts Down Hate/Please Do Not Use
Pastor Darnell Hammock (centre) walks down Hearst Avenue in Berkeley during a victory march following the day’s action. "We're out here to denounce white supremacy and hate. Often the church has been silent and complicit and on the wrong side of history, and I wanted people to know we stand with those who suffer under those emboldened by Trump."' [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]
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Following a final gathering at Berkeley’s Ohlone Park, 26-year-old Berkeley native Tiana Lee stands with her four-year-old son True. 'I believe all people need to support each other, it’s about time we stand together,' says the Black Lives Matter activist and mother. 'Today was a success. It's history.' [Kelly Lynn Lunde/Al Jazeera]