San Francisco Jury Deadlocks on Felony Charges Against Seven Activists Who Blocked Golden Gate Bridge to Protest U.S. Military Aid to Israel

By Sam Barron | Thursday, 02 July 2026 07:38 PM EDT

A San Francisco jury deadlocked on Thursday over the most serious charge against seven individuals who blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024 to protest U.S. military aid to Israel.

The seven demonstrators were convicted of false imprisonment and obstruction of a thoroughfare, both misdemeanors. They faced potential prison sentences of up to 15 years if convicted of felony conspiracy.

The jury deliberated for seven days before reaching the verdict on the felony charge.

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 locked their arms together in metal tubes and refused to move for four hours before being arrested and having their cars towed.

Prosecutors argued that the demonstrators threatened public safety and prevented people from attending work and medical appointments. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins could seek a retrial on the felony conspiracy charge.

After leaving the courtroom, 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 stated 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. It felt like such a relief to realize that I could actually do something.”