Trump protesters reach plea deal
May 27, 2016, 6:57 PM
Three protesters arrested during a Donald Trump rally in March have reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Michael Cassidy, Stephany Laughlin and Jacinta Gonzalez pled guilty to obstructing a highway/public thoroughfare, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and were ordered to pay a $100 fine and complete 10 hours of community service.
“You may not agree with another’s ideas, but you do not have the right to attempt to halt their speech,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery in a press release. “Further, causing a physical roadblock on a public thoroughfare posed a significant public safety hazard.”
Trump, the Republican presidential presumptive nominee, held a rally on March 19 in Fountain Hills prior to the March 22 Arizona Presidential preference election. During the rally, authorities said Cassidy, Laughlin and Gonzalez chained themselves to vehicles which were parked intentionally to block Shea Boulevard at Arista Lane in order to prevent people from attending the rally.
According to authorities, Laughlin chained herself to the door frame of an open driver side window of a vehicle, while Gonzalez was on the passenger side and had a U-lock around her neck through the door frame. Cassidy was attached to a different part of the vehicle. All of the defendants were cut from their chains and locks by bolt-cutters.