Black Lives Matter Activist Tianna Arata Faces Felony Charges After Organizing a Protest
The 20-year-old activist’s case gains national attention after she faces a litany of harsh charges.
The hashtag #FreeTianna is trending on Twitter after the controversial arrest of a dedicated Black Lives Matter protest organizer, Tianna Arata. The impassioned activist was arrested and charged with five felonies and three misdemeanors after a Black Lives Matter demonstration in San Luis, CA, on Tuesday, July 21st.
#TiannaArata Faces 15 Years In Prison After Organizing A Peaceful Protest Against Police Brutality#FREETIANNA https://t.co/a7EZ2iOuRz
— Where is the Buzz (@WITBTV) August 10, 2020
Many members of the public continue to defend Arata and denounce the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
she should NOT be facing 15 years in PRISON FOR ORGANIZING A PROTEST. REPLY TO THIS TWEET WITH #FREETIANNA !!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BXHcHNMUFi
— Sarah Baska (@SarahBaska) August 10, 2020
The San Luis Obispo Police Department is weathering fierce backlash after its seemingly dramatic, disproportionate response to the temporary blocking of Highway 101. Many individuals have dismissed these charges as retaliatory or vindictive in nature. The San Louis Obispo Tribune editorial board wrote a powerful piece assessing the police’s handling of the case. According to the scathing editorial, the officers in question were actualizing a campaign of “vindictiveness,” and belittling the extremely necessary and urgent Black Lives Matter movement.
Asking the District Attorney’s Office to come down so hard on Tianna Arata smacks of vindictiveness and is only going to further divide our community, writes The Tribune Editorial Board. https://t.co/3On65r4p78
— The Tribune (@SLOTribune) August 10, 2020
The ongoing criminal case against Arata continues to generate civil unrest. Black Lives Matter allies have created a petition demanding that the District Attorney’s office drop all charges. Zealous activists have also made generous donations to Arata’s legal defense campaign.
HELP: #TianaArata is now facing up to FIFTEEN YEARS in prison for organizing a peaceful protest. @SLOSheriff ambushed her. the kidnapping shit is starting. help stop it now. make this trend: #FreeTianna
click this to sign & email the city & @slopdchief https://t.co/z6UOTSTwSC pic.twitter.com/ypGI716AWE
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) August 10, 2020
Although Arata has not been formally charged in a legal proceeding and is not currently in police custody, she is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on September 3rd. If convicted, Arata risks serving a lengthy jail sentence. Social justice warriors continue to push for Arata’s release and challenge these seemingly preposterously harsh charges. We anxiously await additional news surrounding Arata’s case.
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