San Francisco, CA
Ceasefire protest turns violent in South San Francisco
Gaza ceasefire protest turns violent in South San Francisco
A South San Francisco man is facing criminal charges after he was caught on camera in a profanity-laced rant, allegedly assaulting and spitting on demonstrators during a Gaza ceasefire rally on Wednesday.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A South San Francisco man is facing criminal charges after he was caught on camera in a profanity-laced rant, allegedly assaulting and spitting on demonstrators during a Gaza ceasefire rally on Wednesday.
Police arrested the 57-year-old South San Francisco resident, who was later identified from the video as Kent Keenan, by a family member.
“He personally elbowed me in the face,” said a woman involved in the rally, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.
Keenan can be seen in the cell phone video approaching the group, which is associated with Change South San Francisco, at around 6 p.m. The victim said they hold rallies there every Wednesday on El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue, and that Keenan had been present at their prior week’s demonstration, shouting insults.
Wednesday’s rally coincided with celebrations marking the end of Ramadan.
“I should have been with my family, but I was so disturbed about the genocide that is unfolding, it’s been unfolding for the past six months, that I took time out of my day,” said the victim.
The victim said the protest was peaceful before Keenan crossed the street.
“I tell him don’t touch me, because he’s making contact with me with his cane, and he’s also threatening me…you need to get out of my city, as if I didn’t live here my whole life,” said the victim. “It just felt very racist to me…and things started to escalate.”
After being filmed spitting on one of the demonstrators, the victim said he began pushing others in the group. Soon after, police arrested Keenan.
In a statement posted to social media, Rep. Kevin Mullin condemned the violence and “hate speech”.
“I feel like the root cause is congressional elected officials not calling for a ceasefire,” said the victim. “If he did it, then people wouldn’t feel so emboldened to do things like this.”
According to San Mateo County Court records, Keenan pleaded not guilty on Friday to three counts of criminal threats with an enhancement as a hate crime and two counts of battery. Keenan is next due in San Mateo Superior Court on April 25.
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After a $41 million renovation, San Francisco’s iconic Castro Theatre will officially reopen this month with an entertainment lineup that’ll once again shine the spotlight on the storied California movie palace.
The Castro District’s designated historic landmark — a longtime LGBTQ+ cultural epicenter known for its community events and queer film screenings — will reopen on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a sold-out fundraiser for the Castro Community Benefit District.
Marking the first time the theater has opened its doors since 2024, the “Community Opening” will feature a 35MM screening of the cult classic, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” plus a drag queen costume contest in which the audience is encouraged to “serve the best looks and embody the spirit of Priscilla.”
According to the theater, its highly-anticipated reopening will herald “a new era for this cherished San Francisco landmark.”
Other events coming soon to Castro Theatre
The theater will host a second sold-out “Community Opening” on Sunday, Feb. 7, dubbed “D’Arcy’s Drag & Disco.” The celebration — considered the “soft launch” of the Castro — will feature live DJs, go-go dancers, and pop-up drag performances from Bay Area entertainers.
After that event, Grammy Award-winning singer Sam Smith will launch his 20-night “To Be Free: San Francisco Residency” at the Castro beginning Feb. 10. His performances wrap up on March 14 and are all sold out.
On Feb. 12, A24’s sold-out San Francisco premiere of the studio’s upcoming film, “PILLION,” will fill the Castro as the venue’s first official post-restoration premiere.
The BDSM romance film stars Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, both of whom will attend the San Francisco premiere. The film is directed by London-based writer-director Harry Lighton.
Check out the Castro’s full lineup for more events currently scheduled through November 2026, including an April screening of “The Princess Bride” as a tribute to the legacy of Rob Reiner and a two-night stint from the Indigo Girls in May.
The history of the Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre was built in 1922. Its interior was designed by prominent San Francisco architect Timothy Pfleuger, with architectural influences from Spanish, Asian, Italian, and Art Deco styles.
On its 100th anniversary in 2022, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Castro was the oldest continuously operating single-screen theatre in San Francisco.
In 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into a partnership with the venue, which led to its $41 million rehabilitation. The theater closed for renovations in March 2024.
While seating remains for screenings and comedy shows, the Castro’s overhaul includes new standing-room space for live music — a first for the venue — as it looks to expand its entertainment offerings in its glow-up era.
Other upgrades patrons will discover at the Castro include:
- NeonWorks’ restoration of the iconic vertical neon blade sign and the theater’s marquee.
- A new movie screen — the old one was upcycled into art by ART by Queer AF.
- Revitalization of the ceiling’s original artwork and historic lighting fixtures by Evergreen Architectural Arts.
- Modernization of the orchestra-level chandelier that has been around since 1937.
- The installation of a digital organ designed by longtime Castro organist David Hegarty.
- A new HVAC system, new additional restrooms, and improved ADA access throughout the orchestra and backstage.
According to a press release, the Castro’s renovations were designed to “ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.”
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