A proposed free concert in Golden Gate Park to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer Of Love hit a snag earlier this month when San Francisco city officials denied the event a necessary permit, citing promoter Boots Hughston’s “numerous misrepresentations of material fact” about security and crowd control. Remnants of Jefferson Starship were slated to perform at the show, and before a hearing today, The Washington Post reports, members of the band took to the steps of City Hall to protest the decision.

“The best thing we ever did was to play for free in the park,” says David Freiberg, vocalist and bassist with Jefferson Airplane and Starship. “How can you celebrate the Summer Of Love without that? It’s impossible. I see no reason why we can’t work this out.” Drummer Donny Baldwin was also among the protesters, who dressed in all black and attended the three-hour public hearing afterwards.

During the hearing, San Francisco’s Recreation And Park Commission ruled to uphold their decision denying a permit for the concert but told promoters that they could address the department’s concerns and resubmit an application. Boots Hughston says he will “definitely resubmit” the application and hopes that the event can still go forward as planned.