Its central location , vast open space , and the collection of government buildings have made and continue to make Civic Center the scene of massive political rallies . It has been the scene of massive anti-war protests and rallies since the Korean War . It was also the scene of major moments of the Gay Rights Movement . Activist Harvey Milk held rallies and gave speeches there . After his assassination on November 27 , 1978 , a massive candlelight vigil was held there . Later , it was the scene of the White Night Riots in response to the lenient sentencing of Dan White , Milk 's assassin . Recently , Civic Center was the center point of same-sex marriage activism , as Mayor Gavin Newsom married couples there
White Night Riots
White Night riots
Civic Center, San Francisco