Minnesotans are familiar with the perils of “snow blindness,” a temporary blindness caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the reflection from snow and ice. It appears that Minnesota politicians and prosecutors have a type of mob blindness, where they cannot see crimes committed in front of them by the far left. That condition appears to be tragically evident in St. Paul, where City Attorney Irene Kao made an absurd denial of any criminal activity at the demonstration in the City Church on Jan. 18th. While claiming that there were no observable crimes, Kao’s decision just happened to be enormously popular with the mob-driven politics and polling in her state.
In January, dozens of anti-ICE protesters, and former CNN journalist Don Lemon, descended upon the church and disrupted a mass because a church official had connections to ICE.
The demonstrators could have been charged with such offenses as disorderly conduct, interfering with a religious observance, knowingly participating in a noisy assembly and making or continuing a disturbing or excessive noise.
There was a demonstrator who was able to get her misdemeanor charges dismissed earlier. However, Emily Phillips was arrested for her conduct outside of the church and actually responded to police demands that she stop using her bullhorn.
Her case is a good point of comparison. Protesting outside is vastly different from entering a church or event to disrupt it or shout down speakers.
These demonstrators entered a church, refused to leave when told to do so, and abused parishioners while stopping the services.
Kao offers little more than a shrug: “Following a careful evaluation of the video footage, investigative reports, and other available materials, prosecutors determined that the current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes.”
There are 39 people still charged by the federal government under the FACE Act.
Kao insisted, “The right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.”
This is not protected free speech. It is conduct. Indeed, it is criminal conduct.
While Kao stressed that there was no property damage, it is not required under these criminal charges.
What is missing is not the basis for criminal charges but the will to prosecute them. Once again, Democratic politicians are yielding to the mob and refusing to see the criminal conduct.
It is reminiscent of CNN national correspondent Omar Jimenez reporting live from Kenosha, Wis., with a raging fire in the background over a chyron reading, “FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.”
These politicians and state prosecutors hope to ride this rage wave back into power in Congress and the White House. Indeed, some have told voters to “let your rage fuel you.”
We have seen this pattern before in history. Establishment figures often try to harness the rage of the mob, only to be ultimately consumed by the rage themselves.
Irene Kao’s decision is a cynical concession to the mob. It is a decision that will give the Minnesota mob a further sense of license.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of the bestselling books “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage” and “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
If I put the pieces together I get the following message: “We are the Blue States. We know best. You should be disarmed. We will run the criminals through the “equity” turnstile back onto the street with no cash bail. Your remedy is to rely on the response time of the defunded police department while your front door is being kicked in.” What’s to not like?
When we begin to see some broken noses caused by some dedicated knuckle sandwiches.delivered to the Trespassers with real vigor will this nonsense end. Don Lemon wearing a plaster nose guard and his nostrils stuffed with cotton for a couple of weeks would be very symbolic when seen on national TV.
The Police in Minnesota need to grow some Man Tackle and start enforcing the Law as it is written. The problem is they as a group evidently have lost their ability to adhere to the principles that most Police Forces embrace.
We have to remember the Minnesota State Bird is the Loon beginning in 1961. Seems so fitting when you think about it. That is when the Leftist and Communist movement in this country really began to grow in Ernest.
Minnesota State Law:
(b) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if the person intentionally:
(3) trespasses on the premises of another and, without claim of right, refuses to depart from the premises on demand of the lawful possessor;
(4) occupies or enters the dwelling or locked or posted building of another, without claim of right or consent of the owner or the consent of one who has the right to give consent, except in an emergency situation;
The State Law as to neglect of duty….
609.43 MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE.
A public officer or employee who does any of the following, for which no other sentence is specifically provided by law, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both:
(3) under pretense or color of official authority intentionally and unlawfully injures another in the other’s person, property, or rights; or
(4) in the capacity of such officer or employee, makes a return, certificate, official report, or other like document having knowledge it is false in any material respect.
There is no question the Protestors were trespassing for a start, then add Disorderly Conduct, and if I had been the Officer responding and I gave the Protestors a Lawful Order to remove themselves from Church Property and they did not immediately do so…I would have arrested them for that violation in addition to the Trespass Charge.
As to trading Alberta for Minnesota….even as daft as Canadians have become they would not want to have anything to do with Minnesota.
However, if Alberta votes to become a US State we should give them a very warm welcome.
Democrats are lawless Fascists!
Republicans get no law enforcement!
I want the JUDGES and DAs conspiring to help LAW BREAKERS jailed!
Oh gee, our govt officials have failed us again. What a surprise. I think I’m done ever thinking anything is ever going to change.
“. . .prosecutors determined that the current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges . . .”
Too bad there’s no northern long-eared bat habitat in the church. The protestors would be facing 10 years.
Irene Kao did not yield to the mob – she LEADS the mob.
I lived in the Minneapolis area from 1976-1989. Wonderful at that time! Before the Metrodome, outside Twins baseball at Met Stadium (now Mall of America). Beer vendors lugging crates of “Cold beer! Get your cold beer, dollar a bottle!” Cold Schmidt bottled beer. Met Stadium was constructed of 4×4 seating, so no long walk over people to use the head or the concessions. Of course, beer now costs $12 for a cup of warm piss and a stale pretzel is $8.
Re: “Wonderful at that time!” Then who let the dogs out!?!?!?
Democrats, particularly in Minnesota, are evil…, not to mention stupid, which as they accurately say, cannot be fixed.
Joe Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland created a nationwide task force (FBI and local law enforcement working together) to arrest and incarcerate parents who interrupt school board meetings. And people who silently pray outside abortions clinics get arrested and incarcerated. But a mob breaking into and interrupting a church service, that’s fine and dandy. We’re living in the midst of a crusade against the Bill of Rights and God.
It is interesting that Prof. Turley (with whom I almost always agree) states about this ‘demonstration’ that “This is not protected free speech. It is conduct”. Why then is burning an American flag ‘speech’ and not ‘conduct’? Moreover, why id burning a ‘Pride’ flag often considered to be hate speech rather than protected speech?
Just asking.
You are not considering where these acts of “protest” occur.
Protest outside Apple HQ on the sidewalk. whatever. Enter the building and refuse to leave – rapid arrest.
Both are free speech. Both are conduct.
That is not the question. Speech can not be criminalized.
Conduct can.
Speech that is also conduct CAN be a crime – when it violates the rights of others.
In the US there is no such thing with respect to the law as “hate speech” – you are free to speak as much hate as you wish.
Refusing to leave when directed by the owner or manager of a property is trespassing. Seems like an easy slap on the wrist.
The FACE Act is questionable law but I hope it leads at least to some fines in this case. The protesters, one and all, were a******s.
And all this time I thought California was the country’s dumpster fire. I was wrong. Note to Minnesotans: do not flee to my state when yours completely burns, which it will, please.
How many times did the Obama DOJ usurp local authorities under the auspices of civil rights violations? What’s good for the goose . . .
We are witnessing a rapid decline of civil behavior resulting from the absence of accountability. This virus started with the open alignment of the majority of media with the leftist Democrat party refusing to fulfill it responsibility to hold that party accountable as they certainly do the opposition. In the vacuum remaining, the party has been taken over by its most extreme elements. Violence and corruption spread as a means to take power. Unity through shared values and principles is disappearing as will our prosperity, security and freedom.
This behavior will stop when, God help us, the Right confronts it with violence. No doubt that Will be met with serious charges by left wing prosecutors. But it may dampen the spirits of the nut jobs on the left.
What would Attorney Irene Kao do if 39 protesters descended on a Mosque?
Do not sent to know who was elected. Rather send to know who voted. All the devils are there.
Every eye should open and every ear should listen to the avalanche coming our way. It’s an avalanche of rage, fierce and unstoppable and overwhelming. The Left started it, giving it impetus through their careless yet intentional attacks on the sensibilities of average Americans. It’s on its way. There is nothing to be done. It will be slow at first, but it will gather momentum. More power and more speed. At first it will be protest, then disobedience, then, taking from the lessons of the Left, it will spill into the streets. Then government crackdown, immediately followed by full fledged revolution. Right now it’s the slow beginning. But it is the beginning of the inevitable.
Can we take Alberta and give Canada Minnesota in exchange?
Why so quick to cede US territory to communists?
Alberta is going to vote on a resolution about a resolution. Nothing will happen there of any import.
Hey Jonathan, waaaaaaa!
If someone farts outside an abortion mill or mosque, Minnesota will charge them with multiple felonies.
Probably