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San Francisco police are letting people know today that the downtown area may be subject to congestion and delays—particularly for drivers—due to anti-war protests starting Friday morning. 

The first planned gathering begins at 7 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, according to Officer Maria Oropeza, with likely protest activity spreading out through the Financial District and toward Civic Center as it did last year. 

Oropeza said “plenty of officers”' would be out both facilitating the exercise of free speech rights for those objecting to the U.S. military presence in Iraq and keeping the streets safe.  

“We are a very patient police department,” she said, “but when people cross into civil disobedience and the disruption of work we have to afford the general public their right to function, as well.” 

More than 2,000 people were arrested in spring 2003 weekday demonstrations that shut down many intersections and freeway ramps at times, but nearly all the charges were later dropped. 

This time, Deputy Chief Greg Suhr has gone on the record telling potential demonstrators that police don't plan to accept the same level of  

chaos. “No, you're not going to shut down San Francisco,'” he said. 

On Saturday, a major march from Dolores Park to Civic Center is planned at midday, with the route along Market Street between Valencia Street and Van Ness Avenue, Oropeza said. Once the Civic Center rally begins around 2 p.m., she said Market Street would most likely be cleared for traffic. 

—Bay City News›