Charges Dropped Against Most Inauguration Protesters

Courthouse News reports:

Federal prosecutors will drop charges against 129 of 188 people who were accused of felony rioting after President Donald Trump’s inauguration last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said Thursday.

Prosecutors will still press cases against 59 defendants they contend were most responsible for the demonstrations, which resulted in smashed windows, property damage and some violent clashes with police. Prosecutors claim protesters used “black bloc” tactics, referring to a group known to show up at peaceful protests wearing all black in hopes of stirring up chaos.

A grand jury returned an indictment against 215 people in April last year, charging each with five counts of felony destruction of property and one count each of felony urging or inciting a riot, engaging in a riot and conspiracy to engage in a riot. Twenty people have pleaded guilty.

ACLU senior staff attorney Scott Michelman said in a statement: “The U.S. attorney has essentially admitted it never had the evidence to charge these innocent people in the first place, and we’re gratified to see they’ve come to their senses.