Judge dismisses most charges against Golden Gate Bridge protesters

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Protesters demanding an end to the war in Gaza blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge for hours on April 15, 2024. (KTVU FOX 2)

SAN FRANCISCO – A. SanFrancisco A press release issued Friday said the judge dismissed most of the charges against the activist group arrested in the Golden Gate Bridge case.

Judge Brendan P. Conroy dismissed 32 of 44 charges against 26 Bay Area activists, known as GG26, who were arrested during a protest on the Golden Gate Bridge on April 15, according to the press release. One person was removed from the case entirely.

The judge also signaled he is open to reducing the felony charges against the eight protesters from misdemeanors and may adjust the compensation amounts at the next hearing on Dec. 6, officials said.

“Today’s verdict is a huge win for our clients and society at large,” said Jeff Wozniak, an attorney representing protesters facing felony charges. “Customers know that what they did to speak out on behalf of the thousands of Palestinians killed last year was fair and that the initial overly harsh accusations were merely an effort to silence their activism.”

Officials said that the demonstration, which called for the end of US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza and the imposition of an arms embargo on Israel, briefly disrupted traffic on the bridge.