Bakersfield, CA, April 14, 2024: Riddhi Patel, a young pro-Palestinian protester, found themself entangled in a legal battle following threatening remarks directed at Bakersfield City Council members. Patel, 28, wept during the hearing as a deputy public defender entered not-guilty pleas on her behalf to eight counts of threatening a public official and 10 counts of making terroristic threats. Court Commissioner Sally Ackerknecht, presiding over Patel’s arraignment, set a staggering $1 million bail and imposed strict orders, mandating Patel to stay away from city hall and maintain a considerable distance from council members and city officials.