Thomas Veil
Suspended
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It’s “lock dissenters up and throw away the key” time. At least to this prosecutor, and whatever judge went along with it
$1 million bail set for Lancaster protesters decried as 'blatantly unconstitutional'
$1 million bail set for Lancaster protesters decried as 'blatantly unconstitutional'
Bail was set Tuesday at $1 million for several protesters arrested during demonstrations against a fatal police shooting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a move decried by many including the state's lieutenant governor, who called it "blatantly unconstitutional."
Lancaster police arrested 12 adults and one juvenile after about 100 people gathered outside the city's police station Sunday following the police killing of Ricardo Munoz, 27, who authorities say chased an officer with a knife. Police said the demonstration devolved into a riot that caused damage to the station, vandalism to local businesses and a small fire, and officers used "chemical munitions" to disperse the crowd....
The adults face charges including conspiracy to commit arson, riot, institutional vandalism and disorderly conduct. One has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. The 13 defendants range from 16 to 43 years old and live in Lancaster and surrounding communities....
So if this is bail, what’s the punishment if found guilty? Hanging?“The $1 million cash bail orders for several young Black Lives Matter protesters last night is an egregious and unacceptable abuse of the bail system," Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. "Cash bail should never be used to deter demonstrators and chill speech."