Center for Protest Law and Litigation Demands Peace Activists Be Released

San Francisco, Calif. — The following is a statement from Rachel Lederman, Senior Counsel, Center for Protest Law & Litigation:

“On Monday, peace activists in San Francisco took a courageous stand against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. They were not alone – they joined thousands across more than 50 cities around the world who took part in a global action standing up against the global economy’s complicit support of this genocidal war. 

“While peaceful protests were happening across the world, the California Highway Patrol and the District Attorney have jailed the San Francisco protestors on trumped up felony conspiracy charges to preemptively punish them for their advocacy by holding them in jail. The overcharging by the CHP is an abusive attempt to silence those who are demanding a ceasefire and an end to the U.S. government’s unconditional support for the genocide and famine that Israel is inflicting on Gaza. We demand the peace activists be immediately released on their own recognizance, and we will continue to defend their right to speak out against genocide.”

The activists are asking supporters to call San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, 628-652-4000, and SF Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, 415-554-7235, to demand the protestors’ release.