SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has charged Juan Diaz-Rivas, 36, with hate crime and assault in connection with a violent antisemitic group attack in the city’s Marina District. The incident occurred early Saturday, June 14, 2025, on Fillmore Street, when Diaz-Rivas and a group of about six people allegedly accosted two individuals, shouting antisemitic slurs including “F*** the Jews, Free Palestine.”
According to court documents and statements from the District Attorney’s Office, the victims, a Jewish woman and her friend, were sitting on the sidewalk when confronted by the group. When the woman identified herself as Jewish and asked the group to stop, Diaz-Rivas allegedly got in her face.
As the victims attempted to walk away, the group pursued them. One member punched the male victim, causing him to fall, hit his head, and lose consciousness. Prosecutors allege that Diaz-Rivas and others continued to punch and kick the victim while he was down.
A nearby worker who heard the altercation and antisemitic language attempted to intervene but was also punched and kicked. The attack resulted in the male victim suffering a swollen lip and multiple head injuries. The group fled the scene but returned briefly to shout further antisemitic slurs before police arrived.
Diaz-Rivas was arrested and arraigned Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, including an allegation of personally inflicting great bodily harm and a hate crime enhancement.
The District Attorney’s Office is seeking to have Diaz-Rivas detained pending trial due to the public safety risk he poses.
Judge Harry Jacobs ordered Diaz-Rivas held without bail, citing the severity of the alleged attack and the risk to the Jewish community. Assistant District Attorney Jamal Anderson emphasized the public safety concerns, stating, “We believe the defendant does pose a public safety risk.”
The case has drawn condemnation from local officials and Jewish advocacy groups. State Senator Scott Wiener commended District Attorney Jenkins for “sticking up for the safety of our Jewish community,” warning that rising antisemitism in the United States is leading to increased violence.
The investigation remains active, with authorities seeking additional suspects involved in the attack. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line.
This article is based on verified information from the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, San Francisco Chronicle, NBC Bay Area, CBS News Bay Area, SFist, and official court documents.