BLM Activist Gets Jail Time for Attempted Felony ‘Lynching’

FEATURING SONALI KOLHATKAR – Hundreds of activists, faith leaders, academics, and reporters gathered in front of the courthouse on Tuesday in Pasadena, California, where this program is produced. They were there to show support and cover the story of Jasmine Richards, the 28-year old leader of the Pasadena chapter of Black Lives Matter. Richards was convicted last week of the controversial charge of “attempted felony lynching,” which has since been renamed. She faced a sentence of up to 4 years. Dozens of people wrote to Judge Elaine Lu asking for leniency and time served. As of this recording, nearly 80,000 people signed a petition on colorofchange.org asking Richards to be freed.

I was able to enter the very small courtroom. Judge Lu, who started out saying she was considering probation, decided after hearing the prosecutor’s statement, to sentence Richards to 90 days in County jail minus time served, 3 years of probation, and 52 courses in anger management.

The Rising Up crew was at the courthouse on Tuesday morning, the same day as the California primary. Today we bring you a special report about this national story.