Commentary: Demonstrators threatened with prison for defending their community

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Protesters in front of the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday Nov. 26, 2019. The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office filed charges last month against 10 people in 3rd District Court accusing them of starting a riot in the lobby of the Salt Lake Chamber offices in July after a protest over the inland port turned into a violent confrontation with police. All 10 face a charge of rioting, a third-degree felony with a possible sentence of one to 15 years. Nine of them face a charge of criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor. The protestors have their first court appearance on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and are planning a rally beforehand. This letter is on behalf of 18 engaged community members facing a combined 35 years in state prison for seven felony charges, plus at least 32 misdemeanor charges which each threaten a maximum penalty of 90 days, six months or 364 days in jail.

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