HAYWARD, Calif. - Speakers from across the Bay Area gathered outside Hayward City Hall on Tuesday to denounce partisan hate and criminal acts, calling for civility and respect in political discourse.

"Stop political violence!" the crowd chanted.

Calls for respect and free speech

What they're saying:

Edward Escobar, founder of the Coalition for Community Engagement, said too many people are being silenced by intimidation.

"They are being intimidated and bullied out of existence, and this cannot be allowed to happen," Escobar said.

He said lost in the rhetoric is the fact that mutual respect and free speech are bedrock principles.

"Everyone is entitled to be heard, and no one should be shutting down anyone else," Escobar said.

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