Golden Gate Bridge protest case goes to jury
Seven defendants are awaiting a verdict over a 2024 Gaza war protest that blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. The charges include conspiracy, false imprisonment, trespassing, unlawful assembly and obstructing a thoroughfare.
A San Francisco jury began deliberating Friday in the case against seven protesters accused of blocking the Golden Gate Bridge for hours on April 15, 2024. The defendants could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges tied to the bridge shutdown.
Defense lawyers argued the protest was protected political action meant to draw attention to civilian deaths in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel. Prosecutors said the group planned to intensify the disruption by stopping vehicles, chaining themselves together and using lock boxes that made removals harder. Deliberations are expected to continue Monday.