Crowds Gather in San Francisco to Celebrate Right-Wing Group Cancelling Event

Large crowds, with estimates ranging from hundreds to thousands, gathered in San Francisco for a peaceful rally, following the decision of a right-wing group to cancel their event, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to CBS News SF Bay Area broadcaster, large crowds assembled near Alamo Square Park and the Civic Center Plaza, celebrating the cancellation of a Patriot Prayer rally that was scheduled for Saturday.

Patriot Prayer had originally received a permit for a rally at Crissy Field, but on Friday the group said they would hold a press conference at Alamo Square Park instead. That press conference was cancelled after San Francisco authorities said no permits had been issued for an event there.

Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson denied that the group is racist, stating that its aim was to bring people together who believe in peace, love, freedom and free speech.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said he was proud of the city for mobilizing to "reject hatred." One person was detained, but no one had been hurt, according to San Francisco Fire Department Chief William Scott.

The march took place only two weeks after a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, ended in tragedy, as a car rammed into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one woman.