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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUtah protesters face charges with potential life sentence
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Some Black Lives Matter protesters in Salt Lake City could face up to life in prison if theyre convicted of splashing red paint and smashing windows during a protest, a potential punishment that stands out among demonstrators arrested around the country and one that critics say doesnt fit the alleged crime.
The felony criminal mischief charges are more serious because they carry a gang enhancement. Prosecutors said Wednesday thats justified because the protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage, but watchdogs called the use of the 1990s-era law troubling, especially in the context of criminal justice reform and minority communities.
This is so far beyond just the enforcement of the law, it feels retaliatory, said Madalena McNeil, who is facing a potential life sentence over felony criminal mischief and riot charges. Charging documents say she bought red paint at a Home Depot before the July 9 demonstration sparked by a fatal police shooting ruling. She later yelled at and shifted her weight as if to slam into police during the demonstration, charges state. Its really frustrating and scary ... I just feel so much concern for what this means for the right to protest in general.
The charges have Democratic leaders at odds in Salt Lake City, the liberal-leaning capital of conservative Utah, with the top county prosecutor arguing vandalism crossed a line and the mayor calling the charges too extreme.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/utah-protesters-face-charges-potential-203612637.html
judesedit
(4,438 posts)intentionally to make BLM look bad. Keep taking videos when you see things.
crickets
(25,979 posts)It sure does.
Very likely the point of going for a sentence as drastic as life. This type of crime does not stack up to murder and rape, which sometimes don't receive anything near a life sentence.
MichMan
(11,924 posts)and property damage?