FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
San Francisco CODEPINK, Veterans for Peace to Rally at Superior Court, Urge DA to Drop Felony Charges Against Local Peace Activists
San Francisco, CA – On September 18th, at 8:45 AM, members of CODEPINK and Veterans for Peace will gather at San Francisco Superior Court, Department 20, located at 850 Bryant Street, to demand that District Attorney Brooke Jenkins drop felony charges against local peace activists. The activists are being prosecuted for protesting U.S. involvement in Gaza's ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The charges stem from a February demonstration led by CODEPINK organizer Cynthia Papermaster at the home of Representative Nancy Pelosi. During the protest, diluted washable red paint was used to symbolize the bloodshed of innocent civilians in Gaza. Papermaster is now facing charges of felony vandalism, a charge the group argues is an unjust punishment for exercising free speech and advocating for an end to genocide.
Civil rights attorney Dan Siegel will represent Papermaster as the District Attorney's office presents evidence at the hearing. Supporters call out the charges as an attack on peaceful protest and anti-genocide activism.
“This prosecution is not only an attempt to silence those who speak out against violence in Gaza, but it also represents a troubling crackdown on free speech,” said Cynthia Papermaster. “We are asking for the public to stand with us as we defend the right to speak out against oppression and we’re asking SF DA Brooke Jenkins to drop the felony charges.”
The group is encouraging community members, activists, and free speech advocates to join them on September 18th in calling for the charges to be dropped and standing up against the repression of peaceful activism.
For more information, please contact: Cynthia Papermaster at [email protected].
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