By Sam Barron | Thursday, 02 July 2026 07:38 PM EDT
A San Francisco jury deadlocked Thursday on the most serious charge against seven people accused of blocking traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024 to protest U.S. funding for Israel’s war in Gaza.
The seven demonstrators were convicted of false imprisonment and obstruction of a thoroughfare, both misdemeanors. They faced a potential 15 years in prison if convicted of felony conspiracy.
The jury deliberated for seven days before reaching the verdict.
On April 15, 2024, protesters stood in front of their vehicles on the Golden Gate Bridge and held banners opposing U.S. military aid to Israel.
The seven protesters facing felony charges locked their arms together in metal tubes and refused to move for four hours. They were arrested and their cars were towed.
At trial, prosecutors argued the demonstrators threatened public safety and kept people from their jobs and medical appointments.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins could seek to retry the protesters on the felony count.
Upon leaving the courtroom after the verdict, the protesters hoisted the red-and-green Palestinian flag across the street at San Francisco City Hall.
“Today remains a victory — we do not solely fight to win,” said Nuha Abusamra, an attorney for the defendants. “We fight for the resistance.”
Bhavika Anandpura said she did not regret the protest.
“After we got on the bridge and the banner was finally hoisted, I remember looking around at these beautiful faces and just taking a breath, exhaling,” Anandpura added. “It felt like such a relief to realize that I could actually do something.”
