Multiple arrested during fight at SF Trans March; Sen. Scott Wiener claims harassment at event

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Vandalism along the route of the San Francisco Trans March on Friday led to five arrests and a scuffle that injured two officers, police said.

Officers monitoring the march about 7 p.m. saw people vandalize property with paint at Market and 8th streets, said Officer Robert Rueca, a department spokesman.

One of the people also assaulted and sprayed paint on a person, Rueca said on social media.

Officers attempted to detain suspects at Turk and Taylor streets, but other people surrounded and obstructed them in an attempt to free the people, Rueca said.

Police arrested three people for assault and vandalism and two for obstructing the officers' investigation, he said.

MORE: Video shows suspect shattering windows at North Bay LGBTQ business

Two officers were assaulted and received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Rueca said.

"The SFPD always respects individuals First Amendment rights to protest," Rueca said. "However, criminal activity will not be tolerated in San Francisco."

He also said the SFPD "is unwavering in its support for the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to protect and serve every community in San Francisco."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact San Francisco police at 415-575-4444 or send a text to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

State Sen. Scott Wiener says he was chased away from Trans March

Scott Wiener, a Democratic state senator running to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress, said he was chased away from San Francisco's Trans March on Friday by harassment over his stance on Israel and Gaza.

A group of people in Dolores Park, where the march began, "began screaming at me, ran up to me, surrounded me, and began harassing me, both verbally and physically, including physical contact," Wiener said in a statement Saturday.

"They made statements about my 'Israeli handlers,' among many other inaccurate, extreme, and vile statements," he said. "They were so physically and verbally aggressive that it was impossible for me to safely remain in the park."

Wiener said the confrontation followed an encounter on Wednesday at a bar in the Mission where he was "accosted" while watching the World Cup game. A spokesman for the senator said both incidents would be reported to San Francisco police.

In general, state-level politicians aren't afforded police protection and Wiener's spokesman wouldn't discuss his security arrangements.

"We have measures in place," spokesman Erik Mebust said. "We're not canceling any of his planned appearances this weekend," including his scheduled participation in Sunday's Pride Parade.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie condemned the harassment of Wiener but stopped short of ordering police to intervene.

"As mayor, I can never accept hate directed at a member of our community," Lurie said in a statement. "This language directed at Senator Wiener yesterday was targeted, hateful and antisemitic."

Wiener, who has expressed support for Israel's right to exist, stepped down from his post as co-chair of the state's Jewish Caucus earlier this year after describing the conflict in Gaza as a "genocide."

Wiener said he had no objection to "anyone disagreeing with me, opposing me, or protesting me."

"That's democracy, even when the people engaging in this conduct misrepresent my views," he said.

"But when opposition and disagreement transition to harassment, including cornering me, touching me, or trying to physically bully me out of a public event, that crosses a line," Wiener said.