A Los Angeles man was charged with felony vandalism Monday when he allegedly throwing a book in his car on a downtown highway during a recent protest against President Trump’s immigration and deportation policy.
On February 3, thousands of people marched through downtown LA as part of a “immigration-free day.” This is a social media-driven nationwide boycott that asked immigrants to skip work, keep their children home from school and refrain from shopping.
When the Marchers crossed the US 101 overpass, prosecutors say 42-year-old Martin Richard Torres climbed a highway sign near Spring Street. Authorities said it was not clear whether he was a demonstrator or not, and that the incident occurred during the protest.
One of the books hit a vehicle. Atty. Nathan Hochmann said at a press conference announcing the felony charges.
The driver of the hit vehicle was not injured and no crashes have been reported, but Torres is a felony due to the risks brought about by his actions brought to others on the highway He added that he has been charged and the investigation is ongoing.
If the vehicle is bent, it could have been a collision with another vehicle. “Not only is there a property damage, but there can be serious injuries or death depending on what is happening,” says Hochman.
Torres is being charged with counting felony of throwing objects at a resident of a vehicle.
Hochmann said the prosecutor intended to send a message.
“If you want to protest here in Los Angeles County, if you want to do it legally, and if you want to comply with the various laws and ordinances that apply to such protests, I’m not just allowing it to happen. We protect our rights to do that,” Hochman said. “But basically, for those who want to use protest as a cover to commit criminal acts, when people’s words and actions cross that boundary to criminal acts, we pursue that criminal act. ” Hochman said.
Torres’ bail is set at $755,000, and if convicted of all charges, Torres faces seven years and four months in prison.
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