SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco prosecutors on Monday started charging 80 protesters who final month blocked site visitors for hours on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge whereas demanding a cease-fire in Gaza.
The protest got here as San Francisco was internet hosting President Joe Biden and different world leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Seventeen individuals appeared in courtroom on Monday to face prices of false imprisonment, refusing to adjust to a peace officer, illegal public meeting, refusing to disperse and obstruction of avenue, sidewalk or different place open to public. Their arraignments have been continued to February.
Tons of of demonstrators holding indicators that learn “Biden: Ceasefire Now” and “Free Free Palestine” and “Drop the Costs!” held a information convention exterior the courtroom earlier than the arraignments of these charged started.
Aisha Nizar, of the Palestinian Youth Motion, stated she was amongst those that have been arrested and charged however does not plan to cease demonstrating.
“We’re extra resolute in our calls for for a cease-fire than ever,” Nizar stated exterior the courtroom.
About 200 protesters participated within the demonstration in the course of the international commerce summit, and blocked all lanes of site visitors into San Francisco on the bridge’s higher deck, with some drivers tossing their keys into the bay. Dozens of them have been arrested and 29 autos have been towed. Protesters demanded that Biden name for a direct cease-fire within the battle between Israel and Hamas.
The demonstrators charged can be arraigned in batches all through the week, prosecutors stated.
“Whereas we should shield avenues totally free speech, the train of free speech can not compromise public security,” San Francisco District Legal professional Brooke Jenkins stated in an announcement asserting the fees. “The demonstration on the Bay Bridge that snarled site visitors for hours had an incredible impression on those that have been caught on the bridge for hours and required super public assets to resolve.”
Protesters calling for a cease-fire have additionally blocked main roadways in cities together with Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia. Police and prosecutors in these cities did not instantly reply to inquiries about whether or not arrests have been adopted with prices.
A temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which Qatar helped dealer, was introduced on Nov. 21 however the battle resumed on Dec. 1 after talks to elongate the truce collapsed.
The battle began after Hamas broke by Israel’s high-tech “Iron Wall” on Oct. 7 and launched an assault that left greater than 1,200 Israelis lifeless. Hamas additionally took practically 240 individuals hostage.
Greater than 19,400 Palestinians have been killed because the battle started, roughly two-thirds of them girls and minors, in response to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza.
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