In an Unprecedented Court Escalation, Trump Protesters Could Be Facing Decades in Prison

[workinclasszero]

In an Unprecedented Court Escalation, Trump Protesters Could Be Facing Decades in Prison for Inauguration Demonstrations
A frightening crackdown on free speech is underway across the country.
By Celisa Calacal, Lauren Kaori Gurley / AlterNet June 1, 2017, 7:39 AM GMT

Nearly six months after Donald Trump was sworn into office, more than 200 protesters who gathered in Washington, D.C. to protest his inauguration are facing felony charges that carry sentences of 70 to 80 years.

According to Al Jazeera, the 212 protesters were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department and initially charged with felony rioting, a crime that carries a 10-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine. On April 27, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia added additional charges that include urging to riot, conspiracy to riot and destruction of property.

The possibility of long-term prison sentences for these protesters could have a chilling effect on participation in future rallies, particularly at a time of heightened levels of anti-Trump activism. While it's unclear whether police departments will respond to large-scale political protests in a similar fashion, a dangerous precedent has been set. These legal actions may also infringe on the demonstrators' First Amendment rights, as they directly target anti-Trump protest movements.

http://www.alternet.org/activism/unprecedented-court-escalation-trump-protesters-could-be-facing-decades-prison-their

[luvMIdog]

1. WTF!!! We are now living in North Korea

[workinclasszero]

5. OBEY!

[ProudLib72]

2. NO!

Just NO!

[MineralMan]

3. Depends on exactly what protesters we're talking about.

Who are those who have been arrested and charged. When were they arrested? What, exactly, were they doing when arrested?

Lots of questions. If these are some of the masked anarchists who seem to hang around these protests, there may be something to these charges, actually. We'll see.

[Phoenix61]

8. Excellent point

We know they were there and it was definitely not to peacefully assemble and protest. It was to cause chaos and destruction.

[yardwork]

14. 80 years in prison? Are you serious?

Rapists don't get sentences like that.

[madinmaryland]

18. Yeah. Jerry Sandusky only got 30 years.

He could actually live long enough to see freedom. WTF?

[Ilsa]

21. Thom Hartmann talked about one that is a journalist.

He was arrested and charged, even though he had his press credentials. He was covering the protest, and I think the group was essentially kettled.

[Binkie The Clown]

4. Next step: Prison sentences for belonging to subversive groups like DU. n/t

[workinclasszero]

7. But..but...it can't happen here right?

Uh...right????

[LiberalLoner]

13. +1

[CrispyQ]

6. How long are these fucking investigations going to take?

How long before someone takes action? I realize the GOP puppet congress won't do anything, but certainly there is someone - IC? military? - who can do something before we are a dictatorship where Trump wins 97% of the vote in 2020? We don't even have until 2018 at this rate.

[workinclasszero]

9. Oh lots of people are just relaxing until 2018 when they assume

the democrats will regain control of the house.

But who's to say that election will even happen? We could be in a nuclear war with NK by that time.

This last election was stolen by Putin, whats to stop that from happening again?

I think a lot of people are still in denial over the true nature of Trump's "victory" and will be shocked by what he and his party are going to do to America.

[mythology]

10. You think a military coup is a good idea?

History suggests otherwise.

[Sugar Smack]

11. On that note, this is my sign for tomorrow's protest:

It's not quite done- I'm going to watercolor the background tomorrow.
If I may say so, I outdid myself.

[workinclasszero]

12. Nice

Be careful out there.

[narnian60]

15. +1

[BlueJac]

16. What did anyone expect would happen?

We are a done deal with the Republicans holding all the cards!

[turbinetree]

17. I hereby exercise my First Amendment Rights------------it was not left at some court door

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,

[SharonClark]

19. Typical alternet BS

This hasn't happened to peaceful protesters.

[FiveGoodMen]

20. Bump. (I can't believe something this big isn't getting more of a reaction!)

[FiveGoodMen]

23. Oh, well. Never mind, then.

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Seems a bunch of these folks were caught up in the midst of Black Bloc rioters