Trial of 'Golden Gate 7' Protesters Resumes in San Francisco

The trial of seven protesters, known as the 'Golden Gate 7,' resumed on June 2, 2026, in San Francisco Superior Court. The defendants were arrested on April 15, 2024, after blocking three lanes of southbound traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge to protest Israel's military actions in Gaza.

They face one count of felony conspiracy and multiple misdemeanors, including nine counts of false imprisonment, with a potential maximum sentence of 14 to 15 years in prison. During the protest, the group locked themselves together with chains, with some standing outside vehicles and others remaining inside, complicating efforts by first responders to remove them.

The protesters called on U.S. lawmakers to end military support for Israel, which they accused of war crimes.

By the time the trial began in May 2026, the United Nations reported approximately 73,000 Palestinian deaths, with about 70% of casualties being women, children, and the elderly, and an estimated 173,000 injured. The seven cases are being tried jointly in San Francisco.