Texas judge overrules jury to impose six-month sentence for anti-genocide graffiti

A judge in Tarrant County, Texas has overruled a jury to jail Raunaq Alam for six months for writing anti-genocide graffiti on a public wall.

Raunaq Alam: jailed for the truth

The jury had decided to reject an attempt by prosecutors to paint a ‘misdemeanour’ graffiti offence as a felony hate crime for messages against Israel and its slaughter of Palestinians, and to sentence Alam to probation for vandalism.

However, Judge Brian Bolton then overruled the jury and added 180 days jail time — the most a judge can add in felony cases under Texas law. Raunaq Alam is free on bail while his lawyers, who have accused Bolton of prejudicial bias, appeal the ruling.

Alam said:

This trial was about more than just me. This was about ALL OF US fighting for liberation. This was a historical success for the movement for a free Palestine.

The case mirrors state and foreign interference in justice in the UK, where the ‘Filton 18’ of anti-genocide activists have been jailed for more than a year waiting for trial after daubing paint on a UK-Israeli arms factory and police are knowingly ignoring a judge’s ruling to target anti-genocide protesters for any expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine or for action against Israel’s genocide.

Featured image via the Canary