San Francisco, California - Seven pro-Palestinian activists were sentenced on Friday by a San Francisco court over their blocking of Golden Gate Bridge traffic during an anti-genocide protest in 2024.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Teresa Caffese sentenced Conrad de Jesus, Rocky Chau, Sarah Ferrell, River Allen, Em Tillotson, Bhavika Anandpura, and Sara Cantor to 30 days in jail and six months of probation.
The seven defendants had been found guilty in July of false imprisonment, unlawful assembly, and obstructing a thoroughfare. A jury could not reach a verdict on felony conspiracy charges, so they were dismissed by Assistant District Attorney Angela Roze.
Caffese allowed the activists 15 days of work alternative to imprisonment via the Sheriff's Office and gave them credit for four days already served. As a result, each defendant must serve 13 days in jail.
According to the defendants' attorneys, all seven plan to appeal the guilty verdict and the sentencing. They will remain free while such proceedings go ahead.
During the trial, the defense argued that the pro-Palestinian protesters were forced to block the bridge after their appeals to congressional representatives were ignored, leaving them no alternative.
Meanwhile, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins argued that the protest had caused a safety risk to those stuck in traffic and said their cause does not justify broken laws.
Caffese echoed these views in comments cited by KQED, arguing: "Throughout history, civil disobedience has mostly involved accepting legal consequences."
"In that spirit, those who blocked the bridge and disrupted the lives of hundreds of commuters should be treated respectfully, but should also be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions," Caffese said.