Protester says Bay Bridge demonstration 'was beautiful'
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A demonstration on the Bay Bridge caused a major headache for driver Monday evening. Two dozen protesters shut down all the westbound lanes.
Though the demonstrators were all arrested, they were all cited and released late Monday night to applause and hugs from supporters. It is now up to the San Francisco district attorney to decide what the formal charges will be. That process will play out over the next couple of months.
"It was beautiful," said Thea Matthews.
Matthews was one of 25 protesters who were arrested after taking part in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstration that shut down much of the Bay Bridge.
The group chained themselves and five cars together, effectively blocking all westbound lanes.
"We understand that it was an inconvenience," she said. "But so was 400 centuries of white supremacy. And so it was a way to disrupt business as usual, disrupt the complacency around the systemic oppression that exists and the constant terrorism on black people."
PHOTOS: Chained protesters block westbound traffic on Bay Bridge
It was a holiday, but the demonstration left thousands of motorists stranded and caused a traffic backup that extended for miles.
"What has to happen has to happen and everybody has their reason to protest," said motorist Eric Barfield. "I think it's kind of dangerous to do it on the highways."
WATCH VIDEO: 25 protesters arrested after shutting down Bay Bridge
The CHP arrested Matthews and her fellow protesters on a host of charges including false imprisonment, public nuisance, unlawful assembly, and obstructing a free passage.
They were all cited and released with a future court date.
