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The trial of two men charged in a street brawl in a California beach town three years ago will soon transform the image of Antifa, one of America’s most controversial political movements. there is a possibility.
During opening arguments Tuesday, Brian Lightfoot and Jeremy White disagreed about their roles in the violent protests that took place in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood on January 9, 2021, three days after the Capitol riot. The view was expressed that
That day, far-right demonstrators ended up in a series of violent scuffles with anti-fascist counter-protesters. But prosecutors focused solely on Antifa, charging 11 defendants with dozens of felonies.
The prosecution’s case goes beyond proving that Ms. Lightfoot and Mr. White engaged in the acts they are accused of (which is hardly debatable, since they were caught on camera from multiple angles); The goal is to prove that the act was part of a broader conspiracy. violence. Harvey and her team believe the plot was organized under and inspired by Antifa, a far-left extremist political movement that opposes neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events. he claimed.
But defense lawyers argued that the case opens the door to conspiracy charges against those protesting fascism and even those wearing black. “It has a chilling effect on political expression,” said John Hamasaki, an attorney representing Lightfoot.
Of the original 11 defendants, nine made deals with prosecutors. White and Lightfoot represented the activist lawyers in the case, emphasizing its importance not only to them but also to protesters against fascism across the country.
A conviction on the gang-style conspiracy charge could effectively double his prison sentence. If successful, legal experts say it could be used as a blueprint for prosecutors across the country. It could also reinforce right-wing political discourse that argues that Antifa is not just a political ideology, but a dangerous group.
John Hamasaki, an attorney representing Lightfoot, said, “This case opens up the possibility that prosecutors could approach protests involving anti-fascists and people wearing black and pursue them on the basis of conspiracy.” There is,” he said. “It has a chilling effect on political expression.”
But the prosecutor’s high-profile approach has been criticized in part because street brawls on both sides led to only one indictment. Video from that day showed a fight involving members of the extremist group Proud Boys and local white supremacists.
However, San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephens’ office decided to prosecute only the black-clad antifascists. Stephens, a longtime Republican who left the party to run for a nonpartisan seat in Congress, has a history of supporting conspiracy theories about Antifa.
On Tuesday morning, prosecutors painted Antifa as a threat to society.
In her opening statement, Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey played numerous videos of the 11 violent incidents since Jan. 9 that prosecutors focused on, including only a few shots of both defendants. Some were only involved, or not at all.
White, Lightfoot and their alleged co-conspirators came to San Diego “with the intention of shutting down speeches and rallies of patriot groups for the simple fact that they do not agree with their beliefs,” the statement said. Mr Harvey told the jury. . “You will find that these defendants and their co-conspirators arrived in San Diego fully clothed, armed and ready for violence.”
Harvey said prosecutors will present to jurors secret communications between antifascists in San Diego and Los Angeles to prove the defendants always intended to commit violence against peaceful, patriotic protesters. Stated.
Lawyers for the two defendants sought to poke holes in broader conspiracy theories and distance their clients from violence.
Hamasaki described his client as a wildland firefighter in training who grew up in poverty in south-central Los Angeles. Lightfoot became fascinated with the anti-fascist movement prior to and during the social justice uprising after the killing of George Floyd, Hamasaki said. So he bought some equipment and took to the streets to protest against what he believed to be virulent racist and fascist far-right forces.
“Anti-fascism is an ideology, a belief system. It’s saying, ‘I’m against fascism,'” Hamasaki said. “Prosecutors said they’re pretty broad in who they consider to be fascists, including white supremacists and neo-Nazis, but also Trump supporters. There’s some overlap in that in this case. I think you can see something.”
San Francisco attorney Curtis Briggs, who represents Mr. White, said his client came to Pacific Beach in medic gear, ready to help fellow antifascists who might be injured at the protests. He said there was. Briggs said White has participated in protests and rallies across the country and even won a letter of commendation from Congress for his work on behalf of Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Mr. Briggs said Mr. White saw protesters increasingly attacked by far-right agitators, including a helmet emblazoned with the message “When the shooting starts, get behind me.” He stepped into the fray “in armor.”
And Briggs said the people listed as victims in the DA’s office carry their own weapons, including at least two knives, a replica gun, gloves with Kevlar-reinforced knuckles, and pepper spray. He pointed out that he had done so.
As USA TODAY first reported in 2022, these victims included people identified by activists as white supremacist instigators notorious for stirring up conflict in areas where they were not welcome. It is. At least one has a criminal record and has long been associated with neo-Nazi groups.
“Approach the prosecution’s case with a healthy skepticism, paying close attention to whether the people on the stand are culpable and whether they are truly victims,” Briggs told jurors. Told.
But prosecutors successfully filed a sweeping motion several weeks ago that severely limited how defense attorneys could portray the pro-Trump protesters on the day of the crime.
Throughout opening arguments, prosecutors objected to all of the defense’s references to well-known groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Three Percenters and local San Diego neo-Nazi groups. At one point, Judge Daniel Goldstein stopped the trial and dismissed the jury, then noted that Mr. Hamasaki had ruled on the issue “at least seven times” and used such terminology. He accused Mr. Hamasaki of doing so.
investigation:California Congressional candidate says he did not participate in Capitol riot.The video shows otherwise
Tasha Williamson, a San Diego community activist who attended the trial in support of White and Lightfoot, said she was angry at what she saw as inequality.
“Clearly the district attorney only believes in the First Amendment rights of white supremacists and not the rights of people who look like me,” said Williamson, who is Black. “I’ve heard ‘Antifa’ so many times, but I’ve heard ‘Proud Boys’ and ‘American Guard’ and ‘Defend East County’ and other known white supremacists threatening my life and the lives of my family. I haven’t heard of the people who came.”
Furthermore, she added: “I can’t even say those words in that courtroom, and I’m embarrassed to have to walk through this door where justice is written everywhere. This is not justice.”
Prosecutors said they could not comment on the case.
The two men are charged with varying sentences, but if convicted, Lightfoot could serve up to 18 years in prison. The trial is scheduled to continue through this month.
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