These protesters blocked the 110 Freeway. Now, their cases are on track to be dismissed

These protesters blocked the 110 Freeway. Now, their cases are on track to be dismissed

Briefly

"It was one of the most dramatic protests in Los Angeles by activists who opposed Israel's war in Gaza: a shutdown of the southbound lanes of the 110 Freeway as it passes through downtown. In a chaotic scene captured by news helicopters, protesters sat down on the freeway in December 2023, halting traffic just south of the four-level interchange. On live television, enraged motorists responded by getting into physical altercations with demonstrators."

"Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto's office later charged many of the protesters with unlawful assembly, failure to disperse, failure to comply with a lawful order and obstruction of a street, sidewalk or other public corridor - all misdemeanors. On Monday, after a lengthy legal battle, a judge agreed to put 29 protesters into a 12-month diversion program, which requires that each performs 20 hours of community service."

"In court Monday, Flynn praised her clients for taking a stand, motivated by a moral duty to "bring attention to the loss of life and humanitarian crisis going on in Gaza." "These are people who were, out of conscience, making a decision to engage in an act of civil disobedience," she told the judge. Two others charged in connection with the protest were granted judicial diversion earlier this year and have already completed their community service. The charges against them have been dismissed, Flynn said."