Rallies will protest release of Dan White, San Francisco Progress (Article, January 1984)

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Rallies will protest release of Dan White

Convicted murderer Dan White's release from prison today will set to motion two rallies protesting his freedom and a morning memorial service for the two assassinated victims-- Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.

In Municipal Court Judge Herb Donaldson's Hall of Justice Courtroom, a memorial service will be conducted at 9 a.m. Attorney John Wahl, representing Milk's heir Scott Smith, and Police Department attorney Larry Wilson will be among those speaking.

At noon in Union Square the Committee to Project the Injustice, the organization sponsoring both demonstrations, will encourage people to stop work between [?] and 1:15 p.m. today and to go outside and make as much noise as possible to vent protest over White's alleged lenient prison sentence that touched off the infamous White Night Riot at City Hall on May 21, 1979.

Beginning at 6:30 and running until 10 p.m., the Committee to Protest the Injustice will hold a rally at Castro and 17th streets with speakers and entertainment.

Some 3,000 are expected to attend the Castro Street rally that required a street closure approval from the Board of Supervisor's Transportation and Traffic Committee earlier this week.

"We will do what we generally do for any major demonstration," said Police Department spokesman John Hennessey. "There will not be a strong police presence, but there will be monitors assigned and an appropriate number of police allocated if anything should arise."

Stephanie Mettfield of the Committee United Against Violence said her organization will provide civilian monitors at the night rally.

"We don't expect any violence, but we will have watch monitors on Castro Street to help alleviate any tension that might occur," she said.

There will be medic monitors available and monitors who will serve as liaisons with the police, she said.