SFPD Prepares for Pro-Trump Rally at Twitter HQ

Authorities in San Francisco are making arrangements for a demonstration in support of President Trump planned near the offices of Twitter. The building has remained largely unoccupied since the beginning of the previous year, as the majority of Twitter staff are currently working from home.

This planned demonstration follows Twitter’s decision to suspend the president’s account – a platform he frequently used to communicate with a large audience – after the company determined his messages constituted ongoing encouragement of violence following the events of January 6th, when a group of his supporters attacked the Capitol building.

“The San Francisco Police Department has been informed about the potential for a demonstration on the 1300 block of Market Street, at the location of Twitter’s headquarters, tomorrow, Monday, January 11, 2021. SFPD has communicated with Twitter officials and will deploy adequate personnel to manage any demonstrations, as well as address other service requests throughout the city,” stated a police department representative in an email. “The San Francisco Police Department is dedicated to protecting the public’s constitutional right to freedom of speech. We request that all individuals exercising this right do so with consideration, respect, and concern for the well-being of others.”

According to initial reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, preparations by the SF police were prompted by messages on an online forum frequented by Trump supporters, formerly based on Reddit, which encouraged followers to gather at Twitter’s headquarters on Monday to protest the ban.

Twitter is among a number of technology companies that have removed the president and numerous of his allies from their platforms in response to the Capitol riot that occurred on Wednesday.