@laralogan That is mostly correct . . . except that on the west terrace - just before 2 pm - police did set up a small, portable PA that began playing recorded orders to disperse, with threats they'd also soon begin using even more powerful "less than lethal" munitions. This recording was… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
@laralogan This clip begins at exactly 2:03 pm, and you can hear the recorded warning message, and also hear how underpowered and ineffectual it was unless you were right in front of the small speaker being used.
Failing to indict Samsel until seven months after his arrest, combined with having been subjected to “diesel therapy” 16 times, along with his prison injuries, his case should be thrown out.
At any other time, and at any other protest, every true “liberal” journalist and jurist would be screaming for his release and his case to be dropped, because of those rights violations. An appellate court should immediately intervene.
Think of which Congress member you were most disappointed in for having caved and voted ‘Yea’ on the debt ceiling compromise. (I’m looking at you, @RepThomasMassie.) 1/7
The fact is, they were pressured by @SpeakerMcCarthy and other leaders, with threats against their own committee and leadership positions. 2/7
Unfortunately, this is not speculation. This is well-sourced, insider info. Basically, to keep their leadership status, they failed at true “leadership.” 3/7
Mehta returned at 12:37 pm, to begin reviewing the sentencing guidelines and other considerations . . .
Mehta addresses Rhodes directly, “You were convicted of seditious conspiracy, and you’re a lawyer. . .” Then the lecture begins . . . which includes the history of seditious conspiracy under the law, and says it’s one of the most serious offenses any American can commit.
It is a series of acts in which he and others committed to using force against the government of the US, to prevent the transition of government to “the new guy” because he doesn’t like “the new guy.”
Stewart Rhodes rises to say that he is a “political prisoner.” And that this is an ongoing process to shut down political speech. He makes the point that many of those in other protests, like ANTIFA, ...
...who made open attempts to interrupt the transfer of power to the Trump administration were never prosecuted for their words or violent actions.
Rhodes describes why OKs provided escorts and security at many political rallies across the country …
...because left-wing protestors and Antifa were violently assaulting peaceful protestors.
He makes the point that at hundreds of events, the OKs never used violence or force to deter violence, and were never charged with any crimes at any other events.
AUSA Rakoczy rises to state the government is asking for 25 years for Rhodes. She reviews the major highlights of the case and specifically makes the case that Rhode’s conspiratorial mindset not only manipulated his followers into taking on violent and revolutionary actions.
But also proves that given the opportunity, he would lead another attack against the government if given a chance.
The court must therefore impose a sentence of 25 years.
Phil Linder rises to say that he doesn’t believe anything he or other counsel can say will change Mehta’s “already determined” sentencing. Nor can they present any witnesses that will change his predetermined sentencing.