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.”
What the Minnesota prosecutor and other government officials have failed to remember is that historically when officials have abandoned the rod of justice in the gutter someone may come along and pick it up.
In Other News: “Minnesota Ham Sandwich Says He Can Finally Relax and Let His Guard Down”
A local ham sandwich now thinks himself as a hero ever since Minnesota Prosecutors announced they cannot even indict a ham sandwich.
Yesterday he commented, “Them prosecutors and DAs always had a beef with me. But I’m glad it’s finally over, yet I relish in their incompetence.”
X has commented here too many times to count, my browser says 39. This is obviously a sore topic for him.
Yet he has not defended these ‘protestors’ actions in any way.
He does not support the forceful interruption of any church services by crazies of this sort and he believes fully in the right to peaceably assemble and be able to assemble in peace. Isn’t that right, x old chum?
One thing people go to church for, is a reset. Church services are a weekly reminder, to try to be good, to do good, try to fortify yourself against anger and reactivity. Worshipers change their own minds sometimes during religious services. Sometimes their hearts soften. It is hard to describe this process to persons for whom a political ideology is the only religion. They probably just didn’t get that disrupting a Sunday service was not the same as taking over a gas station. “Religion” is, at best, a nothing in their minds; at worst, an evil. I don’t require that they get religion. I require that they get their bullhorns out of that church.
The bullhorn people, and “Look at me! LOOK AT ME!!!!!” celebrities like Don Lemon, don’t like this. They already range across every other aspect of American life, whistle-blowing, throning, and traffic-blocking, with impunity. And now they will be emboldened to continue bull horning their causes du jour at religious services too. Shame on this city attorney.
Statutes are our employee= Public Servant codes for society’slaves, We the People are presumed t be employee and servants to thir state. Stop the farce. Statutes are void in our Republic. Maum in sa wrong fron get go!!
I guess THEY are above the law.
They are above the law. They are state sponsored thugs, just like the Brownshirts of the 1930.
Dear President Trump,
As you continue to do a wonderful job as a hero for freedom, and for democracy-loving patriots, make damn sure the statements you are making about destroying Iran are as accurate as possible. Do not use sweeping phrases that mislead our grateful nation. We admire all you have done and continue to do, to return America to the beacon of light we love so much, so dearly.
Be precise. You are in danger of losing the faith constituents have in you. Don’t be rash. Do not white wash or offer confusing updates while American lives are at risk and innocent Iranians hope for a better future. Do not play around. Be our President, not a salesman. This is deadly serious. Keep up your hard, dedicated work.
“The right to peacefully protest is protected”
Well, shiver me timbers. Let’s go protest her decision-making court proceedings! We are immune, baby. Immune. We are free to protest anywhere at any time according to this stupid moron.
The flailing leftys always refuse to consider how their actions are viewed by NORMAL people.
THAT is the reason for their demise.
Please keep up the insanity.
Um… so you think you’re normal? If you haven’t already noticed, lefties are still around. Please keep up the insanity.
Ta da! Our current state of legal deranged syndrome. You know, boys and girls, we are in the midst of observing our beloved country deteriorate into wok madness, live and up close. We are being overtaken and undermined brick by brick by very, very sick, disturbed, non-repentant traitors.