Golden Gate Bridge protesters face sentencing

SAN FRANCISCO - Seven protesters who were convicted last month of blocking the Golden Gate Bridge to protest aspects of the Israel-Hamas war, were sentenced to jail time and fines on Friday by a San Francisco judge. 

Golden Gate Bridge protest sentences 

What we know:

Each of the defendants was sentenced to 30 days in jail and six months' probation. They will each receive varying amounts of credit for the jail time they have already served. 

The judge's sentence includes between a week to two weeks in jail and two weeks in the San Francisco Sheriff Department's Work Alternative Program, which may include sweeping streets, picking up needles and washing street-owned cars. The total fines and fees are more than $1,000. 

While the sentence was set, the judge said any jail time is on hold until the defendants file appeals. The appeals are likely as the defendants are due back in court in October. 

Six of the protesters faced a maximum sentence of five years, while a seventh faced up to five and a half years. 

Following the sentencing, prosecutors dropped two remaining felony charges that one defendant had been facing, but that the jurors couldn't agree on. 

A rally was scheduled before the 12:45 p.m. hearing. 

What they're saying:

One of the defendants spoke to supporters before the sentencing. They said protesting the United States' support for Israeli action in Gaza is a worthy cause. 

"I just wanted to hop up here and let you know that no matter what happens inside these courtrooms today, we will be fine. The seven of us will be fine," said defendant River Allen. 

Allen was one of the seven who was found guilty of blocking the bridge. 

Attorneys for the defendants argued their clients shouldn't spend any time in jail, arguing instead for home detention or electronic monitoring. They questioned if their clients were being punished for their political beliefs. 

San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Nuha Abusamra spoke outside the courtroom. 

"Why is it they're not being afforded the opportunity for home detention or electronic monitoring just like other misdemeanor clients that suffer convictions as well?" Abusamra said. "I was consistent in my questioning, wondering why, anything other than their political beliefs." 

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins seemed pleased with the sentencing. She issued a statement that read in part: 

"The court’s sentence, following the jury’s verdict, finally holds these defendants accountable for their actions. I continue to encourage civil discourse and exercising our rights under the first amendment, but this serves as a reminder that when such acts become unlawful and compromise public safety that there will have to be consequences." 

Traffic blocked 

The backstory:

In July, a San Francisco jury found River Allen, Bhavika Anandpura, Rocky Chau, Conrad DeJesus, Sarah Ferell, and Em Tillotson guilty of several misdemeanor charges of blocking the bridge on April 15, 2024, when they were part of a larger group that stopped traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge for hours to demonstrate against the U.S. government’s support for Israel as it attacked Gaza. 

Drivers were stuck waiting for law enforcement to clear the bridge and remove the activists, some of whom were bound together with PVC pipes.

The jury found a seventh defendant, Sara Canto, guilty on one additional charge of refusal to disperse during a riot. 

The jury was hung on a felony charge of conspiracy and a misdemeanor trespassing charge.

The case originally had 26 defendants. 

In November 2024, Judge Brendan P. Conroy dropped or reduced charges against most of the defendants after finding insufficient evidence to charge them with more serious crimes. 

What's next:

The defendants are due back in court in October. 

The Source: Reporting from court, defendants who spoke to at a rally. 

San FranciscoIsrael Hamas warBrooke Jenkins