Defendants and their attorneys in the case against seven pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge two years ago reacted with mixed emotions Thursday after a jury handed down convictions for most charges.
The seven protesters were each found guilty of false imprisonment, unlawful assembly and obstructing a thoroughfare. However, the jury was deadlocked on some of the more serious charges of felony conspiracy and trespassing with intent.
“Today remains a victory,” said deputy public defender Nuha Abusamra. “We fought zealously in trial, and we hung the felony count conspiracy, and that is a victory.”
Meanwhile, co-defendant River Allen said they felt “complex feelings” towards the jury.
“But I love them for seeing through the government’s over-prosecution attempt at setting a precedent with a felony conspiracy charge,” Allen said.
The seven protesters were part of a larger group that protested U.S. aid to Israel in the Israel-Hamas war, or what the group and other humanitarian rights organizations call a genocide. Six of the convicted protesters chained themselves together on the bridge for several hours in on April 15, 2024.
Abusamra called charges against the protesters “egregious,” accusing District Attorney Brooke Jenkins both of “overcharging and inflating cases” and of having a “Zionist bias.”
Jenkins said in a statement that her office enforced the law in pressing charges against the protesters and did not respond to accusations having a “Zionist bias.”
Today remains a victory. We fought zealously in trial, and we hung the felony conspiracy count, and that is a victory.
Nuha Abusamra, deputy public defender
“We respect and defend the right to free speech and peaceful protest. But constitutional rights carry responsibilities, and all individuals are expected to exercise those rights within the bounds of the law,” she said.
“We are committed to keeping everyone who visits, works and lives in San Francisco safe at all times, which includes those who use roads and bridges,” she said.
According to defense attorney Katherine Isa, the protesters’ lawyers will try to have the rest of the charges dismissed.
“We will continue this fight because it is just, it is right and because it will work,” she said.
With two remaining counts left undecided, Jenkins said she “will evaluate our options and consider next steps.”
The sentencing hearing for Thursday’s convictions is scheduled for Aug. 21.