‘Golden Gate 26’ Protestors Arraigned in San Francisco
September 16, 2024
By: Christopher Alam | Al Enteshar Newspaper
Activists involved in the April demonstration that blocked the Golden Gate Bridge appeared in court today, Monday, September 16th, at the San Francisco Hall of Justice, where all 26 individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Dozens of supporters gathered at the courthouse, displaying keffiyehs and chanting in solidarity. Among them was Bridgette Rochios, who condemned the charges as an affront to the legacy of protest movements in the Bay Area.
“We are deeply upset by the charges against the Golden Gate 26 and gravely concerned about what this means for the future of protest and Palestinian solidarity, not just in the Bay Area but across the United States,” Rochios said.
The 26 defendants face over 40 charges, including conspiracy, false imprisonment, refusal to disperse, obstruction of a thoroughfare, and refusal to comply with a lawful police order. Eight individuals are facing felony charges related to the same offenses.
Jeff Wozniak, one of the defense attorneys representing the activists, called the charges unprecedented in San Francisco’s political protest history. The legal team is seeking transparency regarding past prosecutorial decisions in similar cases, requesting the District Attorney’s office disclose information on prior protest-related charges.
“There’s a long history of political action in the Bay Area, and there’s never been a case where felonies like this were filed. We’ve also requested information about District Attorney Jenkins’ meetings at the Israeli consulate, as we believe external influences played a role in these charges,” Wozniak stated.
The charges against the Golden Gate 26 are notably more severe compared to recent protests, such as the demonstrations that blocked Highway 101 in October and the Bay Bridge in November. Earlier this year, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins pursued misdemeanor charges against demonstrators from the ‘Bay Bridge 78,’ which were ultimately resolved with minimal penalties, including five hours of community service and a small restitution payment.
The defense team argues that the felony charges in this case are “politically motivated,” citing alleged anti-Arab and pro-Israel bias within the District Attorney’s office. They have filed a motion for recusal against Jenkins, highlighting her undisclosed meetings with the Israeli Consulate, where she allegedly received gifts, and the fact that her Director of Communications, Lily Rapson, previously worked as a Political Education Director at AIPAC, a prominent Israeli lobbying group. Additionally, they referenced a now-deleted tweet from Jenkins referring to local demonstrators as “pro-Hamas” and a scandal involving former assistant DA Mike Menesini, who resigned after racist, anti-Arab emails from his work account were leaked.
The next court dates are scheduled for September 30th for those facing felony charges, and October 24th for the remaining misdemeanor cases. Supporters of the demonstrators have pledged to return for both hearings.
