SF judge dismisses majority of charges against protesters who shut down Golden Gate Bridge in April
SAN FRANCISCO -- A judge dismissed most of the charges against protesters who blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge back in April.
The group was protesting the Israel-Hamas war.
RELATED: Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after shutdown of Golden Gate Bridge, I-880 in Oakland: CHP
Judge Brendan P. Conroy dismissed 32 of the 44 charges against 26 Bay Area activists known as the GG26, most of them counts of false imprisonment.
However, some federal conspiracy charges still remain.
RELATED: Attorneys for 26 Golden Gate Bridge pro-Palestinian protesters call for all charges to be dropped
One defendant's case was dismissed entirely.
The judge also signaled openness to reducing felony charges against eight protesters to misdemeanors and could adjust restitution amounts at the next hearing on Dec. 6, authorities noted.
RELATED: 26 Golden Gate Bridge protesters turn themselves in after DA files charges
"Today's decision is a huge win for our clients and the community at large," said Jeff Wozniak, an attorney representing the protestors facing felony charges. "The clients know their actions were just, taken to speak up for the thousands of Palestinians murdered in the past year and that the initial, overly-harsh charges were merely an effort to silence their activism."
KGO-TV staff contributed to this report
