San Francisco judge dismisses charges from Pride weekend block party arrests
A San Francisco judge dismissed charges Monday against 18 people arrested after police broke up a Pride weekend block party in June.
The arrests followed an unofficial event known as Stud Alley in the South of Market area. Police moved in around 11 p.m. on June 27 as about 300 people gathered on Kissling Street between 11th and 12th streets, then later declared an unlawful assembly on nearby Washburn Street and arrested 18 people they said refused to leave.
The annual gathering had been held for six years without major incident. In July, the district attorney charged the 18 defendants with unlawful assembly, failure to disperse, and resisting or obstructing an officer. Police also said two vehicles and barricades were vandalized and graffiti was reported during the event.
Partygoers and their attorneys welcomed the dismissals and said the city had tried to crack down on Pride activities. In all, police said 20 people were arrested, cited and released during the response.
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