Anti-war demonstrators wanted to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge to draw attention to the 3,000 soldiers killed in Iraq. But the bridge district said no because they didn’t have a permit, didn’t follow the rules the last time they did, and the CHP was worried about the march distracting motorists.When an ABC7 News photographer asked to move past police to shoot the crowd, a bridge district officer told him the bridge is private property — and this is what happened next (see video).The pedestrian and bike paths on both sides of the bridge were then closed to everyone. Bridge spokesperson Mary Currie says the bridge is public, not private property, but the district has the authority to close it.There’s now an internal investigation into the entire event.Mary Currie, Golden Gate Bridge: “We want to really look at what happened and why it happened and what we need to do to retrain and redirect, and take any action with our employees that may be appropriate.”The CHP defends its actions and calls a minor injury the ABC7 photographer suffered in that scuffle “regrettable.”Lt. Tom Gunther, CHP: “Everything else went according to any plan in association with the bridge to control protesters.”

Jake McGoldrick, Bridge Director: “Well, I have a sense there may have been a little overreaction over there at the bridge in terms of safety and security. A little excessive paranoia I think.”

San Francisco Supervisor and Bridge Director Jake McGoldrick says in these post 9/11 times security is a priority, but he wants more information, as does Supervisor and Director Tom Ammiano.

Tom Ammiano, Bridge Director: “If there was no violence or disruption intended, then I do have some questions about why there was such a, I don’t want to say over the top, but why there was such a pronounced reaction.”

The board of directors will have to endorse whatever action bridge management might decide to take.

Copyright 2006, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.