Supporters rally for 18 arrested during San Francisco Pride block party

Supporters gathered outside San Francisco’s Hall of Justice on Tuesday to rally behind 18 people facing charges after they were arrested during a Pride Month block party. The defendants were expected to be arraigned Tuesday, but the hearing was pushed back to next week after a last-minute change. Attorneys filed a demurrer and a motion to dismiss seeking to have all charges thrown out; no ruling was issued Tuesday. Each of the 18 defendants faces three misdemeanor counts: unlawful assembly, disobeying a dispersal order and resisting arrest. Defense attorney Rachel Lederman said she expects the case to be defeated, arguing police records show no dispersal order was given. The arrests stemmed from the “Stud Alley” unsanctioned event, where videos showed vandalism in South of Market, including graffiti and damage to businesses and security cameras. The group is set to return to court Sept. 3.