Maricopa County attorney dismisses protest cases, may file other charges
Mar 9, 2021, 8:13 PM | Updated: 11:03 pm
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel has announced the dismissal of charges against 12 people accused of crimes that included assisting or participating in a criminal street gang after being arrested at a protest in downtown Phoenix last year.
“After reviewing these cases, I believe it is in the interests of justice to dismiss the current charges,” Adel said in a statement Tuesday evening.
However, Adel said she intends to refile different charges against some of the 12 people based on their conduct during the Oct. 17 protest against police brutality.
The motion followed investigative reports by ABC 15 on the gang charges and circumstances related to the handling of other protests.
The Arizona gang law allegedly violated by the protesters included indicators such as wearing of uniforms and proclaiming gang membership.
Police said the protesters met the criteria by wearing black clothes, carrying umbrellas and chanting a slogan critical of police, ABC 15 reported.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona and others said the gang charges against the protesters were an abusive political prosecution intended to silence dissent and scare protesters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
