Charges dropped against Inauguration Day protesters 

Prosecutors are dropping charges against more than 100 people who protested the inauguration of President Donald Trump last year. 

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced on Thursday that it would no longer be pressing charges against 129 people to focus on ‘core group’ of 59.

In the court filing, prosecutors accused the 59 of violence, destruction, and planning of ‘black-bloc’ tactics during the downtown DC march.

Violent protests that broke out on Inauguration Day resulted in 234 people being arrested with mostly felony charges such as rioting and destruction of property.

Prosecutors said the decision came after six defendants were acquitted in December.

Prosecutors are dropping charges against 129 people who protested the inauguration of President Donald Trump last year to focus on ‘core group’ of 59 (Pictured, a limousine is set aflame after Inauguration Day 2017)

In the court filing, prosecutors accused the 59 of violence, destruction, and planning of 'black-bloc' tactics during the downtown DC march (Pictured, a flash grenade explodes at the feet of an Anti-Trump protester after protesters set a limousine on fire)

In the court filing, prosecutors accused the 59 of violence, destruction, and planning of ‘black-bloc’ tactics during the downtown DC march (Pictured, a flash grenade explodes at the feet of an Anti-Trump protester after protesters set a limousine on fire)

About 234 people were arrested on Inauguration Day but prosecutors said the decision came after six defendants were acquitted in December (Pictured, President Trump takes the oath of office as First Lady Melania Trump holds the Bible)

About 234 people were arrested on Inauguration Day but prosecutors said the decision came after six defendants were acquitted in December (Pictured, President Trump takes the oath of office as First Lady Melania Trump holds the Bible)

‘The government will be filing motions to dismiss without prejudice the indictment against the other remaining 129 defendants so that it can focus its efforts on this smaller, core group that we believe is most responsible for the destruction and violence that took place on Inauguration Day,’ said a statement from the US Attorney’s Office. 

It is a win for defendants who have been urging the government to drop the charges. Many had claimed prosecutors were dragging the them through the legal process in order to send a message.

At the first trial, although prosecutors conceded there was no evidence to support that the six defendants had committed any violence, they said they were complicit for not removing themselves from the destruction.  

But a jury found all being tried not guilty on all counts.

It is a win for defendants who have been urging the government to drop the charges, saying they were being dragged through the legal process to send a message (Pictured, police and demonstrators stand off in Washington, DC, after the inauguration) 

It is a win for defendants who have been urging the government to drop the charges, saying they were being dragged through the legal process to send a message (Pictured, police and demonstrators stand off in Washington, DC, after the inauguration) 

At the first trial, prosecutors admitted they had no evidence to support violence but said protesters were complicit for not removing themselves from the destruction (Pictured, a limousine is set aflame with 'We the People' spray painted on the side)

At the first trial, prosecutors admitted they had no evidence to support violence but said protesters were complicit for not removing themselves from the destruction (Pictured, a limousine is set aflame with ‘We the People’ spray painted on the side)

Six officers sustained minor injuries during the protests, and police fought back with pepper spray (pictured) and flash-bang grenades as protesters vandalized businesses and set a limousine on fire before getting the situation under control

Six officers sustained minor injuries during the protests, and police fought back with pepper spray (pictured) and flash-bang grenades as protesters vandalized businesses and set a limousine on fire before getting the situation under control

‘This has been a long road, but we’re pleased that the government, albeit belatedly, saw fit to drop this case,’ said Sheridan England, an attorney for Adam Simpson, whose charges were dropped Thursday.

According to the court filing, about 20 defendants have had their cases dismissed and another 20 have pleaded to lesser charges, often misdemeanor rioting carrying a fine and community service. 

One person, Dane Powell, 32, went to prison. He pleaded guilty to felony rioting and assault on a police officer. He received a four-month prison term.  

Six officers sustained minor injuries during the protests, and police fought back with pepper spray and flash-bang grenades as protesters vandalized businesses and set a limousine on fire before getting the situation under control. 



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