Jeff Olson, California Man, Faces 13 Years In Jail For Writing Anti-Big Bank Messages In Chalk

[marmar]

Jeff Olson, a 40-year-old man from San Diego, Calif., will face jail time for charges stemming from anti-big bank messages he scrawled in water-soluble chalk outside Bank of America branches last year.

The San Diego Reader reported Tuesday that a judge had decided to prohibit Olson's attorney from "mentioning the First Amendment, free speech, free expression, public forum, expressive conduct, or political speech during the trial."

With that ruling, Olson must now stand trial on 13 counts of vandalism, charges that together carry a potential 13-year jail sentence and fines of up to $13,000.

"Oh my gosh," Olson said on his way out of court on Tuesday. "I can't believe this is happening." ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/jeff-olson-california-banks_n_3499177.html?1372199922&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

[HooptieWagon]

1. WTF?

Holy shit, I hope its not the Jeff Olson I know. And I hope his lawyer is a good one...the judge's decision sounds appeallable. How the fuck can this NOT be about free speech and the 1st A? Its this type of speech specifically protected by the 1A!

[Ilsa]

2. Vandalism? If paint, I could see it,

But not water soluble chalk.

Fucking B of A.

[Cleita]

3. Vandalism with washable chalk? I thought vandalism meant you did some

permanent damage to someone else's property. Something that can be hosed off is not vandalism IMHO.

[villager]

4. "Vandalism" to the sanctity of our lords and masters, the banks

You shall not make fun of your owners!

[Arugula Latte]

5. Is there any organized effort to pressure the PTB to drop the jail time or something?

This is ridiculous.

Maybe we should call BofA PR?

[MindPilot]

6. Another thread on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023112157

[malaise]

7. But the banks can steal people's homes

with impunity. What a fugging world!

[lpbk2713]

8. Arrested by the Thought Police

Pogo, where are you now that we need you?