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Statement
On April 21, 2025, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto was compelled by judicial order to disclose all communications—encompassing emails, text messages, and memoranda—pertaining to the prosecution of 31 pro-Palestinian activists affiliated with IfNotNow. This directive was issued by Judge Mark Windham following his determination that there exists "some evidence" suggesting prosecutorial bias against the defendants.
The charges in question stem from a December 2023 demonstration during Hanukkah, wherein the activists obstructed traffic on the 110 Freeway to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Defense attorney Colleen Flynn contends that such charges are atypical for nonviolent protests in Los Angeles, noting that similar actions—such as a labor protest at Los Angeles International Airport involving nearly 200 participants, including city officials—did not result in prosecutions.
Judge Windham's ruling highlighted a now-deleted social media post by Feldstein Soto, in which she expressed unequivocal support for Israel following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. This post, when considered alongside allegations from former criminal branch chief Michelle McGinnis—who claimed that Feldstein Soto sought to prosecute a pro-Palestinian activist based on political beliefs—contributed to the judge's inference of potential animus.
