‘8647’ protest sign hung over Highway 101 near Santa Barbara, CHP called

California Highway Patrol officers and a group of protesters got into a fight on a Highway 101 overpass in Southern California that has reignited debate over whether the numbers “8647” are protected free speech or a death threat aimed at President Donald Trump.

Members of Indivisible Santa Barbara were reported to the FBI after they displayed the sign on Micheltorena Street bridge on Thursday, CHP Capt. Eric Zivic told the Santa Barbara News-Press.

The term “86” can mean to remove or get rid of something, while “47” refers to Trump as the 47th president. Together, the numbers have been used by some to threaten the president.

The CHP response was prompted by a call from someone who spotted the sign, according to previous reports from Capt. Zivic.

He said CHP is obligated to report potential threats against elected officials to the appropriate federal agency.

Indivisible Santa Barbara said in an Instagram post that the incident “violated the First Amendment right to free speech of members.”

The group has also pointed to a federal court ruling to support its argument, according to edhat Santa Barbara.

It cited Accountability NOW USA v. Griess, decided June 1, 2026, in which a judge granted a temporary restraining order barring the National Park Service from taking enforcement action against protesters displaying an “8647” flag during a demonstration near the National Mall.

The group said CHP officers ordered protesters to remove the sign displaying the numbers. It also said CHP Officer Ayala told protesters: “You can’t wish death upon the president.”

In a statement, Ian Paige, a committee member of Indivisible Santa Barbara, said the “attempted intimidation” of the group had failed.

“We will continue to assert our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech despite threats of FBI reports and local CHP harassment,” he said.

According to the group, protesters were told they could continue displaying the American flag and other signs, including ones reading “Protect our vote,” but could not display the “8647” sign.

Federal officials have argued that the phrase can, depending on the circumstances, be investigated as a potential threat.

Earlier this year, former FBI Director James Comey posted an image featuring the numbers on Instagram, prompting scrutiny over whether the post constituted a threat against Trump.

The Santa Barbara protesters, however, have pointed to public comments from US Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said “8647” signs are “posted constantly — that phrase is used constantly,” as support for their argument that displaying the numbers alone should not expose someone to prosecution.

The group, which says it has been protesting in that area of Santa Barbara for more than a year, said it plans to continue displaying “8647” signs.

The California Post has reached out to CHP and Indivisible Santa Barbara for more information about the confrontation involving the “8647” sign but did not immediately hear back.

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