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Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Nine Texas activists were sentenced to harsh prison terms ranging from 30 to 100 years after being convicted on terrorism and related charges for a July 4 protest at an immigrant detention center in Alvarado, Texas.
- The protest involved a noise demonstration with fireworks, but escalated when some protesters vandalized property and one fired an AR-15 at a police officer, who survived the shooting.
- Prosecutors argued the group was a premeditated “North Texas antifa cell” involved in a conspiracy, charging eight defendants with providing material support for terrorists despite “antifa” not being an official organization.
- The case heavily relied on evidence such as leftwing zines, legally owned firearms, and encrypted messaging, which critics say criminalized free speech and activism rather than proving terrorist intent.
- The sentences and convictions have drawn widespread criticism as a test of the Trump administration’s crackdown on dissent and efforts to label leftwing activists as terrorists.
