110 Freeway protesters’ cases are on track to be dismissed

Activists opposing crisis in Gaza agree to perform 20 hours of community service.

- Davip ZAHNISER

PROTESTERS calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war shut down the 110 Freeway on Dec. 13, 2023.

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 perform 20 hours of community service.