Scott Wiener responds after activists run him out of trans march
California state Sen. Scott Wiener condemned the physical intimidation and harassment of political leaders after activists at San Francisco’s annual Trans March ran the Democratic politician out of the event, accusing him of condoning a genocide in Gaza.
In a statement on Saturday, Wiener, who is Jewish and identifies as gay, recounted attending the trans march on Friday, something he said he has done for over 20 years. The senator said he was walking through Dolores Park to participate in a “trans-led Pride Shabbat service” when a group of people surrounded him.
“They were so physically and verbally aggressive that it was impossible for me to safely remain in the park,” Wiener stated. “As a result, I left the park and, for the very first time, did not participate in the trans march.”
A video shared on social media shows multiple activists following the state senator and several people yelling a stream of profanities at him. Several activists flashed their middle fingers at Wiener, while others accused him of being “genocidal” and having “Zionist handlers.”
“Scott Wiener showed up to the trans march and for the first time we kicked his a— out. It's sad because while he's written some good legislation for queers, hes ultimately a genocidal-supporting center right shill,” Dimitry Yakoushkin, the man who shared the video online, wrote in a social media post.
“Trigger warning: broken man walking away defeated,” Yakoushkin added. “Vote Connie!”
Wiener, who is also running to replace former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the harassment he experienced at San Francisco’s annual Trans March took place two days after a man accosted him at a Mission District bar, where Wiener had gone to watch the World Cup game.
“He screamed abuse at me and our staff before being ejected by the bar’s employees. After being ejected, the man remained outside the bar, shouting my name and pounding on the side of the bar near where I was sitting for several minutes,” Wiener stated.
The senator said the same individual stalked him on a plane and in an airport in December 2023, shouting about Wiener’s “tainted bloodline.”
“I have no objection whatsoever to anyone disagreeing with me, opposing me, or protesting me. All of that is core to democracy,” Wiener said. “But when opposition and disagreement transition to harassment, including cornering me, touching me, or trying to physically bully me out of a public event, that crosses a line.”
“We’re living in a time when violence is all too often threatened or used against people in public life,” he added. “In San Francisco, we’re better than that.”
Aviva Klompas, author of Stand-Up Nation: Israeli Resilience in the Wake of Disaster, noted that Wiener responded to the incident on Friday by issuing “a lengthy statement with many, many words.”
“Conspicuously absent were these: 'I am being harassed because I am a Jew,'” Klompas wrote.
Earlier this year, Wiener released a video in which he framed Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide. The terrorist group Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel and murdered approximately 1,200 people and seized over 250 hostages. Anti-Israel activists have organized protests following the attack and Israel’s ensuing military offensive in Gaza, accusing supporters of the Jewish state of condoning genocide.
In a social media post on Saturday, Jennifer Sey, founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, commented on Wiener’s decision to criticize Israel.
“For the Jews thinking you can play footsie with these people … they just hate you because you’re a Jew,” Sey wrote. “That’s it. That’s what it comes down to. Wiener is Jewish.”
“Never bend a knee. It won’t go well,” she added.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
