Black Lives Matter Protesters Get Jail Time In Richmond

The Richmond Black Lives Matter protesters were sentenced to jail time.

Black Lives Matter Protesters Get Jail Time In Richmond

RICHMOND, VA- Thirteen Black Lives Matter conspirators learned on Monday that Richmond ain’t no joke. They will be spending some time in jail for blocking a major highway in July during a “protest” in Richmond Virginia.

The incident took place on July 18th shortly before 6 pm when approximately 30 protesters blocked the southbound lanes of I-95 near the Belvidere Street exit. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that protesters held signs and chanted, “Black lives matter!” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police!” A banner hung from an nearby overpass that read, “Black Lives Matter.”

Some of those involved stood arm-in-arm as they blocked the flow of traffic on the major, interstate highway during rush hour causing serious inconvenience to drivers- many of whom actually have jobs are were attempting to get home at the end of their day.

Police responded to the disturbance and gave the protesters two warnings to which some refused to comply. Thirteen of those who blocked traffic and refused to leave the highway were arrested, charged with being pedestrians on a highway and impeding the flow of traffic. On Monday in Richmond General District Court, all thirteen of the protesters pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement and were sentenced to five days in jail.

“We were ready to prosecute them to the fullest extent had they not accepted the (plea) offer, and it was a Class 1 misdemeanor they were charged with,” Richmond Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Davis Powell, the prosecutor in the case, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.  Powell believes that five days in jail was a fair considering that the protesters arrested had, in general, few prior run-ins with the law.

At first glance, it may seem like a light sentence for those spreading dangerous, anti-police propaganda and causing serious inconvenience to the general public in the process, but considering the charges with which the police had to use, the plea deal seemed reasonable. The case is encouraging however considering that not many Black Lives Matter protesters are even prosecuted in other parts of the country where sympathizers are in place; or if they are, prosecutors or judges sometimes whither under political pressure and protesters reap the benefits, giving license to continue their criminal behavior. Baton Rouge is paying their criminals for getting arrested while blocking a highway.

Where do you suppose will see more Black Lives Matter protesters in the future? Richmond, where they jail their criminals, or Baton Rouge, where they pay them?

“It was rush hour. They put themselves in danger, and they put other people potentially in danger, so we thought that five days in jail was an appropriate punishment,” Powell said.

As with many Black Lives Matter protests where conspirators are bussed in from other areas, only one who was arrested is from Richmond.

Those protesters who were arrested, convicted and sentence to jail as listed by the Richmond Times-Dispatch are:

• Anthony D. Beck, 24, of Weed, Calif.;
• Nina B. Cohen, 49, of State College, Pa.;
• Donna L. Gasapo, 42, of Charlottesville;
• Angelica S. Demarco Jaffe, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y.;
• Julia Griffin, 21, of Sparks Glencoe, Md.;
• Katherine M. Martin, 30, of Alpharetta,
• Sapphyre K. Miria, 37, of Buchanan;
• Luis A. Oyola, 26, of Charlottesville;
• Frances Richards, 61, of Charlottesville;
• Brandon J. Taylor, 21, of Hampton, N.J.;
• Evan S. Viglietta, 39, of Charlottesville;
• Ryan L. Whitcomb, 27, of Charlottesville; and
• Whitney Renee Whiting, 32, of Richmond.

Do you think five days in jail is a reasonable deal for those who block major roadways during protests? Leave your comments below or on our Facebook page.