Community Corner

BART Announces Possible Protests This Afternoon

Train service may be disrupted during commute hours.

BART is warning commuters that another protest is planned for this afternoon at downtown San Francisco stations.

BART shut down several San Francisco stations in the last couple of weeks due to protests planned on waiting platforms.

The protesters chose the platform to gather because Charles Hill was killed there by a BART police officer on July 3, after Hill allegedly attacked the officer with a knife. The shooting set off a string of protests that have shut down San Francisco BART stations three times since then.

Find out what's happening in Pacificawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The agency decided to suspend cellular service in downtown San Francisco train stations on Aug. 11. The cell interruption was an effort to thwart a planned protest over the BART police’s fatal shooting of a homeless man at Civic Center BART on July 3. 

BART cited safety concerns for cutting phone service, stating that a protest on a train platform might lead to injuries and possible deaths, especially during the congested evening commute.

Find out what's happening in Pacificawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But protesters interpreted the agency’s decision as a way to quash their First Amendment rights.

As a result, hundreds of people gathered on Aug. 15 and 22 at downtown BART stations and along Market Street, prompting BART to interrupt train service and close some San Francisco stations during the evening commutes.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here