Protesters who shut down California bridge in call for Israel-Hamas cease-fire avoid jail time
Dozens of protesters who stood across a California bridge, shutting down traffic for several hours as they called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, will not have to serve jail time, prosecutors said.
In lieu of a criminal proceeding, the 78 protesters were ordered to do five hours of community service and pay restitution for blocking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge during a protest in mid-November.
“This is a victory not only for those exercising their right to protest a genocide being fueled by their tax dollars, but for the growing global movement demanding freedom for the Palestinian people,” said Aisha Nizar, one of the protesters. “We emerge from this case even stronger and more united in our commitment to one another and to the people of Palestine.”
Approximately 200 total protesters participated in the Nov. 16 protest in San Francisco as the city was hosting President Biden and other world leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The protesters blocked all lanes of traffic into San Francisco on the bridge’s upper deck and demanded that Biden call for an immediate cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Some drivers even tossed their keys into the bay.
As a result of the protest, 80 suspects were arrested and 29 vehicles were towed.
Prosecutors ultimately dropped one case for insufficient evidence, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Another person declined the court’s pretrial diversion program.
The remaining 78 accepted the court’s offer, which will include each person paying a to-be-determined restitution.
Similar protests blocking major roadways and calling for a cease-fire were similarly carried out in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a potential cease-fire or potential long-term peace remain ongoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
