San Francisco Chronicle - Saturday September 9, 1989
J.L. Pimsleur, Tony Bizjak, Chronicle Staff Writers

An article in Saturday's Chronicle describing the disruption of the San Francisco Opera opening contained several errors.

Due to a reporting mistake, the article incorrectly asserted that police herded demonstrators from the hall and issued citations. In fact, police arrived after the protesters had already left the building, and no demonstrators were cited or arrested for any infraction of the law.

Based on comments from an Opera spokesman, John P. Finck, the article reported that demonstrators sprayed members of the audience with a chemical similar to tear gas. Finck now denies having made that statement. At least one eyewitness states that a member of the audience, not a demonstrator, used a chemical spray during the protest.

Based on statements from Finck and a photographer quoted in a wire service report, the article also stated that demonstrators punched and shoved opera goers. Leaders of Stop Aids Now or Else (SANE), which sponsored the demonstration, deny that the protesters initiated any violence. They say that SANE is committed to nonviolent direct action.

(Editor's note: In an editorial commenting on Friday's protest, The Chronicle relied on the original reporting to characterize the event. This newspaper regrets that such material was included and apologizes for any incorrect impression it may have created.)

* * * * *

San Francisco's glitzy opera opener, rarely marred by anything more serious than spilled chardonnay, last night became a riot, complete with SWAT officers, shrieking socialites and jostling between chanting rowdies and tuxedo-clad men.

"We're queer and we're here! Stop AIDS now!' " the 50 to 100 protesters shouted as they crashed through the crowd.

Elegantly dressed opera patrons stood on their seats, jeering and singing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the top of their lungs. Some demonstrators punched and shoved members of the audience while others scattered leaflets in a riotous demonstration against AIDS.

A demonstrator even sprayed tear gas in the face of one of the opera company singers.

The protest, which delayed the first act of "Falstaff" about 20 minutes, cast the opening night crowd into confusion and left many members of the swanky audience quivering with rage.

"This is no way to gain attention to the problem of AIDS," said a furious Bob Hawes, who said he is himself HIV-positive and uses the experimental AIDS medication AZT.

"Many people in the audience are the greatest supporters of fund-raising for AIDS-related causes," said the elegantly dressed Hawes, an opera-goer for 21 years. "This is an embarrassment for me as a gay man."

The demonstration began about 10 minutes before the opening curtain. Protesters from a group called Stop AIDS Now Or Else (SANE) who had used $10 standing-room-only tickets to enter the Opera House, rushed into the audience, blowing whistles and scattering leaflets calling for increased access to experimental AIDS medicine and more medical care for victims.

Some of the demonstrators climbed into the balcony seats and showered leaflets onto the crowd. "I got slugged in the face," said free-lance photographer Elizabeth Karnazes. "The demonstrators and the patrons were grabbing at each other and punching each other . . . A couple of people thought it was part of the opera." BRIDGE PROTEST Members of SANE, which blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge during an earlier demonstration January 31, handed out "programs" demanding access to treatment programs, an end to mandatory AIDS testing for prisoners and immigrants and an end to police violence against gays and lesbians. "Since we blocked the Golden Gate Bridge, three of our people have died, and still the power structure has not responded," said Chaya Gordon, a spokesperson for the group. "We know who's in there," she said. "It's the mayor, the governor, and heads of corporations are in there. We want them to use their influence to do something about AIDS." To counteract the demonstration, the leader of the opera orchestra launched into "The Star-Spangled Banner." Patrons stood and sang. "I sang as loudly as I could," said Freida Batten of San Francisco, a member of the audience. "I was furious." Opera Director Lotfi Mansouri softened the crowd's nasty mood by taking the stage immediately afterward and addressing the audience. "The San Francisco Opera is noted for its exciting openings, and this one is no exception," Mansouri said to cheers, applause and appreciative laughter. "We're obviously following tradition. Please sit back and enjoy the performance. We're glad you're here." One of the things Mansouri was referring to was the famous opening night in 1983, when tenor Placido Domingo flew across the country from New York in a private jet to replace ailing star Carlo Cossutta in "Otello." However, some members of the crowd were not mollified by his light-hearted comment. "These guys should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," said former Mayor Joseph Alioto, a member of the opening night crowd. "If they had been after the Golden Gate demonstration, this would never have happened." POLICE SUMMONED Opera officials summoned police from nearby Northern Station, who headed off the protesters and herded most of them out of the building. As the demonstrators were ushered past, many members of the audience jeered them, and a few stood on their seats and shouted epithets. Police cited the demonstrators and released them outside. The singer hit with tear gas was Timothy Noble, an alternate who sometimes performs the role of "Falstaff." John Finck, the opera company's publicity director, said he was splattered with the gas while attempting to help other opera-goers in the standing-room section. Finck called the demonstration "senseless" and said the Opera had just held an AIDS benefit featuring the Kirov Ballet three weeks ago. "No one has lost more victims to AIDS than the arts organizations, including ours, and as a result, we are particularly sensitive to the problem," he said. ANIMAL RIGHTS Earlier in the evening, a dozen or so protesters from an animal rights organization paraded in front of the Opera House, waving placards and handing out leaflets opposing the killing of animals for furs. "This is a good opportunity to reach people and raise consciousness," said Barbara Pietrowiak , a spokeswoman for the group. Some of the protesters apparently stole into the women's rest room in the Opera House, and plastered stickers saying "Fur Coats Suck!" on the walls of the toilet stalls. Chronicle reporters Martin Halstuk, Clarence Johnson, Leslie Guevarraand andBill Wallace contributed to this report

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