National Park Service officials have approved a rally for Saturday at Golden Gate National Recreational Area that some fear will spawn violence/NPS

A rally opponents describe as a platform for the alt-right will be allowed to be held this weekend at Crissy Field in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service announced Wednesday.

"We cannot deny a permit to anyone planning to exercise their First Amendment rights based on their political stance or beliefs," said Cicely Muldoon, acting general superintendent for Golden Gate, in a prepared statement. "We can deny a permit application for public safety reasons if the event raises such significant public safety concerns that law enforcement cannot manage the event."

She then added that the Park Service was approving "five First Amendment permits for people to express their views in a non-violent way this weekend in San Francisco: On August 25: 'People’s Town Hall Candlelight Vigil' and 'People’s Town Hall Press Conference' on Crissy Field; on August 26: 'Better Angels San Francisco' and 'STOP HATE human banner' on Ocean Beach, and 'Patriot Prayer' on Crissy Field."

"We urge those planning to attend these events to share their views in a peaceful manner, to look out for each other, and to support law enforcement personnel to keep everyone safe," she added. "NPS respects the right to free speech, and in turn, we expect all participants to respect one another and this beautiful national park."

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi last week, citing the violence that broke out earlier this month in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white supremacists and their opponents, had asked the Park Service to deny a permit for the Patriot Prayer event, saying she was "deeply alarmed by the hateful and dangerous nature of the event, its timing so soon after the horrors in Charlottesville, and the serious questions over whether the National Park Service is at all equipped to ensure public safety during a white supremacist rally. The NPS should reevaluate its decision and its capacity to protect the public during such a toxic rally."

The Park Service in the past has allowed First Amendment rallies that espoused highly charged views. Last month there was a Ku Klux Klan rally at Gettsysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. That event brought several hundred armed militia members to Gettysburg to rally in support of the park's Confederate statues and symbols. No violence broke out, but one of the militia members shot himself in the leg.

Superintendent Muldoon acknowledged the concerns for safety at the Patriot Prayer event on Saturday.

"After consultation with other law enforcement colleagues, including the San Francisco Police Department, National Park Service law enforcement believe that whether a permit is issued or not, many people will come to Crissy Field on August 26 to express their opinions," she said. "Law enforcement advised that issuing a permit will increase their ability to ensure public safety. Accordingly, the National Park Service has decided to approve the permit with significant conditions to promote the peaceful, non-violent expression of views."

The superintendent said that Park Service law enforcement staff from around the country were working with the San Francisco Police Department "to ensure safe events for all participants. In particular, NPS law enforcement personnel are working very closely with the SFPD on the Patriot Prayer First Amendment event. Any violence will not be tolerated."

At the same time, the Park Service seemed concerned that there was a significant risk that the event would turn ugly.

"To ensure public safety, portions of the Presidio and many businesses within the park will be closed to the public on August 26. Visitors to the Presidio are likely to experience traffic, road closures and other large event-related impacts," said Superintendent Muldoon. "We strongly encourage visitors who will not be attending the Patriot Prayer event to consider coming to the Presidio on another day."