Key facts
- Seven protesters were convicted of misdemeanor charges for blocking traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024.
- The charges include false imprisonment, obstruction of a thoroughfare, and unlawful assembly.
- A jury could not reach a verdict on the more serious felony conspiracy charge.
- The protesters face up to five years in county jail.
- The protest demanded an end to Israel's war in Gaza and Washington's support for its ally.
Seven protesters were convicted of misdemeanor charges by a San Francisco jury for their involvement in a 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration that blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. The jury remained deadlocked on the more serious charge of felony conspiracy.
The seven individuals, identified as Bhavika Anandpura, River Allen, Rocky Chau, Sara Cantor, Conrad de Jesus, Sarah Ferrell, and Em Tillotson, were found guilty on six misdemeanor counts, including false imprisonment, obstruction of a thoroughfare, and unlawful assembly. One defendant also received a conviction for refusing to disperse.
Prosecutors argued the protest, which lasted for four hours, created a safety risk for those caught in the traffic jam. Defense attorneys contended that the demonstrators were acting on a moral responsibility to oppose the devastation in Gaza and Washington's support for Israel, stating that other methods of protest had yielded no results.
Sentencing for the convicted protesters is scheduled for August, with potential penalties of up to five years in county jail. The jury's inability to reach a verdict on the felony conspiracy charge, which carried a potential 15-year sentence, means prosecutors will evaluate their next steps.