More than twenty demonstrators blocked the Golden Bate Bridge for hours as part of Monday’s disruptive demonstrations got out of jail Tuesday after San Francisco’s district attorney said she’s not ready to file charges.
It’s up to prosecutors in Alameda and San Francisco counties to weigh charges against the 38 protesters arrested for stopping traffic on portions of Interstate 880 And the Golden Bate Bridge Monday.
It was part of a nationwide economic protest against the war in Gaza.
The CHP suggested the protesters could face serious charges, including felony conspiracy, based on their tactics, which included chaining themselves to cars and barrels filled with concrete.
Outside the prison, supporters showed up to call for the protesters’ release before they were released. It was a second day of protests, this time demanding that the 26 people arrested on the bridge be released without charge.
“We here demand that no charges be filed and that everyone be released immediately,” said a protest supporter who gave her name as Brigit.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the case before the protesters were released.
“At this time, we anticipate that we will have to return the case to the CHP for further investigation,” Jenkins explained.
She said it was the conspiracy charge that required her to take action within 48 hours. She noted that building that case will take more time.
“We need to be able to attribute specific behaviors to specific individuals,” Jenkins said.
She also said none of those arrested Monday were among the people arrested at the Bay Bridge last year. The agreement that kept these defendants from serving prison time required them to stay out of trouble. And Jenkins tried to clear the record of that agreement.
“That was not an offer from the prosecutor,” she added. “That was an offer from the judge, which they accepted. So we played no role in the agreement that was reached between the court and those suspects.”
The misdemeanor charge could also be up to the judge’s discretion, but Jenkins said her office is pursuing the case.
“Anyone wrongly detained on the Golden Gate Bridge on April 15, 2024 is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol,” Jenkins said. “We must ensure that public safety is observed, and that is what we are committed to. But right now we need to ensure this investigation is completed.”
Governor Gavin Newsom also commented on the protests Tuesday while in Marin.
“I am proud of the CHP,” Newsom said. “It wasn’t easy work.”
The governor said that while he respected the cause, he did not support the protest.
“I don’t think that helps,” Newsom said. “I don’t think that’s responsible. I think there are better ways to protest. So no, I hope we don’t experience it again. And I do think people should be arrested for their actions.”
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito referenced the Golden Gate Bridge protest on Tuesday during a Jan. 6 discussion of the case, an indication of the amount of attention paid to protests in the Bay Area and across the country.
As for what happens next, District Attorney Jenkins said further investigation of the case could take just a matter of days.
CBS News Bay Area asked Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price’s office whether she would charge the protesters arrested at the I-880 demonstration with conspiracy, but has not yet heard back.
Wilson Walker
