On August 10th, during a monthly chalking protest against police brutality in solidarity with the families of people killed by LVMPD officers, four Las Vegas activists were arrested by the LVMPD. Each was charged with two counts of “defacing property” and two were additionally charged with two counts each of “conspiracy to commit a non-felony crime.” For sidewalk chalk.
Ballentine and Kelly of the “Sunset 3″ were arrested and served time in the Clark County Detention Center for using children’s chalk to bring awareness to police brutality. Metro PD is using abusive tactics to silence them and the entire Las Vegas Activist Community.
According to reporter Francis McCabe of the Las Vegas Review-Sun Journal, the activists could face probation, suspended driver’s licenses, community service, and up to a year in the CCDC.
“The four protesters, affiliated with Nevada Cop Block and Sunset Activist Collective, used washable colored chalk in July to write critical statements of police on the sidewalks outside the Metropolitan Police Department’s headquarters and in front of the Regional Justice Center.
Demonstrating against police brutality and officer-involved shootings in Las Vegas, the protesters say they were practicing free speech and should not face charges.”
Source:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/crime-courts/sidewalk-chalk-could-land-four-protestors-jail-year
See also:
http://www.occupylv.org/news/sunset-3-arrested-chalking
More information is available online via the links below:
CHALKING PHOTOS:
http://www.occupylv.org/galleries/national-day-action-against-police-brutality
http://nvcopblock.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Las-Vegas-Metro-Accountability.jpg
BALLENTINE AND PATTERSON PHOTO:
