DENVER – The District Attorney’s Office of the 18th District announced yesterday via Twitter that it will dismiss the "criminal tampering" charge against Shauna Johnson, a mother of two who wrote “STOP PUTTING KIDS IN CAGES” in chalk on the sidewalk outside of Rep. Ken Buck’s Castle Rock District Office.
The DA’s office wrote that it reviewed the case, and “determined that justice would be a dismissal.”
Statement from ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein:
“We are pleased with the decision of the prosecution to dismiss the 'criminal tampering' charge against Shauna Johnson, and we agree that it is a just result.
“Shauna Johnson is a concerned constituent who simply wanted to communicate a message of dissent to Representative Buck against the cruel immigration policies of the Trump Administration. She did no damage and intended no harm. She should never have been charged in the first place.
“Dissent is patriotic, and especially now, we cannot allow government to intimidate or silence those who speak out against injustice.”
Statement from Shauna Johnson:
“While my family is elated that, with the help of our superheroes at ACLU of Colorado, I won’t be prosecuted, there are still thousands of babies, toddlers, and young children who haven’t seen their moms and dads for weeks.”
“We must continue to show up and speak out for these kids.
“I hope many people will join the Denver Families Belong Together Rally tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Civic Center Park.”
Johnson was represented in the criminal case by Silverstein and Adam Frank of Frank and Salahuddin, as well as ACLU of Colorado Staff Attorney Sara Neel.
Resources:
ACLU Will Defend Mom Who Faces Jail TIme for Writing "Stop Putting Kids in Cages" in Chalk Outside of Rep. Ken Buck's Office