A man from Los Angeles was accused of crime of vandalism on Monday after pretending to have launched books on cars on downtown highway during recent demonstrations against immigration and expulsion policies of President Trump.
On February 3, thousands of people crossed the city center of Los Angeles as part of “A Day Without Immigrants”, a national boycott focused on social media which called immigrants to skip work, to keep their children at the school house and refrain from shopping.
When the walkers crossed US 101 counter-pass, prosecutors say that Martin Richard Torres, 42, went on a motorway panel near Spring Street, vandalized it and launched two books to -Dis. The authorities said that he was not clear if he was a demonstrator, but the incident occurred during the demonstration.
One of the books hit a vehicle, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said at a press conference announcing crime charges.
Although the driver of the vehicle who was hit was not injured and that no accident has been reported, Torres is accused of a crime because of the risk that his actions posed to others on the highway said Hochman, adding that the investigation is underway.
If the vehicle had swerved, it could have collided with other vehicles, “not only would there be material damage, but you have the chance of serious injuries or potentially even death, depending on what is happening” said Hochman.
Torres is accused of a crime manager of launching an object on a vehicle or a vehicle occupant with the intention of making large bodily injuries and a crime of vandalism of more than $ 400 in moving with graffiti.
Hochman said the accusation was aimed at sending a message.
“To all those who want to protest here in the County of Los Angeles, that if you want to do so legally, if you want to comply with the different laws and orders applicable to such demonstrations, we do not only allow it to happen, we will protect the right to do so, ”said Hochman. “However, for people who essentially want to use protest as a cover to commit a criminal activity, when the words or actions of people cross this line in criminal behavior, we will go after this criminal behavior,” said Hochman.
Torres’ deposit is set at $ 755,000 and if it is found guilty of all accusations, Torres risks seven years and four months in prison.
California Daily Newspapers
