Tensions rise after free speech rally turns violent in San Francisco

An event billed as a free speech rally and a protest against Twitter turned violent Saturday. The event featured some well-known conservative personalities, but organizers were forced to cancel the rally minutes after it started.

A large crowd of demonstrators gathered at UN Plaza in San Francisco to oppose a small group, holding what was billed as a free speech rally protesting what they say is Twitter’s censorship of some of its content.

“They have no business being here, they’re trying to build a fascist movement in this country,” said San Francisco resident Carol Seligman.

The rally was granted a permit from the city.

Some of the speakers expected included well-known President Trump supporters and conservative right personalities, but most never got the chance to be heard.

Tensions quickly escalated, counter demonstrators taunted police, SKY7 was overhead as some kicked barricades.

Police wearing riot gear tried to protect the speakers from the crowd. But many threw bottles at the stage and shouted down the speakers.

Before the event, the main organizer, Philip Anderson said he was attacked and punched getting his front teeth knocked out.

Anderson posted photos to social media of his bloody mouth with a front tooth missing and another hanging loosely. He said anti-fascist protesters attacked him “for no reason.”

“Take a good look, you knocked a black man’s teeth out,” said Anderson.

Minutes later, Anderson announced the rally was over.

“Too bad it got canceled, that’s what happens when you lose free speech, this is what our country has turned into,” Anderson told the crowd.

Some counter-demonstrators felt victorious.

“It’s tough, I believe in free speech but I’m also anti-fascism,” said Elana Thurson-Milgrom from San Francisco.

ABC7’s Dan Noyes was also on the ground at the rally and observed an activist with Team Save America being taken away in an ambulance and an injured San Francisco police officer on the ground by San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza.

Noyes witnessed attendees of the rally heading down Market Street, even after the rally was canceled.

Rally organizers were escorted away by police. It’s still unclear if police made any arrests.