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Halloween Street Festival Cancelled In San Francisco's Castro District

Posted by: Nate Berg

31 October 2007 - 7:00am

After a rash of violence at its annual Castro district Halloween festival in recent years, San Francisco has put the kibosh on this year's festivities. City officials are hoping word of the party's cancellation has been heard.

"San Francisco has two words for Bay Area residents who want to come to the Castro neighborhood to party: Stay home."

"On Monday and today, rush-hour commuters at 15 BART stations received flyers telling them there would be 'no party' and 'no fun.'"

"But the two questions on the minds of people at City Hall are: How many people will show up anyway, and what will they do when they get there?"

"After nine people were shot during the event last year - including a pregnant woman who was hit in the head - city leaders said the gathering could not continue as it had in the past."

"Halloween traditionally is a big event in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, but the celebration in the Castro neighborhood over time has become a regional party attracting hundreds of thousands of people."

"Violent incidents occurred at recent Halloween celebrations, including four stabbings in 2002, and some neighborhood residents fear the event attracts people who want to attack gays and lesbians."

Full Story: S.F. warns would-be Castro revelers: There's no party, stay home
Source: The San Francisco Chronicle, October 30, 2007
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