Vet Faces Prison for Immigration Protest

0:00On March 20th, a U.S. Army veteran named Bajun Mavawala faces federal conspiracy charges stemming from an immigration protest in Spokane, Washington, last June. The 36-year-old Sargent, who served in Afghanistan, pleaded not guilty and risks up to six years in prison, three years of supervised, released, and a $250,000 fine for allegedly impeding federal officers. The demonstration targeted ICE agents transporting two Venezuelan immigrants after a hearing. Protesters linked arms to block a vehicle, leading to some tense moments, but no injuries. Mavawala views peaceful protest as a core American right he defended overseas. Fellow veterans have voiced strong support to crying the charges as an attack on free speech. The acting U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington resigned rather than approve the indictment against Mavawala and eight others, noting nobody got hurt. The Justice Department insisted back peaceful protests but not interference with operations.

1:02Six co-defendants already pleaded guilty, accepting probation deals. Federal prosecutors have ramped up similar conspiracy charges nationwide, including against officials and journalists elsewhere. One judge recently ruled a related immigrants detention unconstitutional. Mavawala, backed by his military family, vows to fight on and speak about immigration's role in America as his trial approaches next May 18th.