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By early afternoon NO CHARGES and #J20Trial was trending on Twitter, as a jury in the first round of J20 defendants came back with a complete acquittal on all counts. The decision comes nearly one year after Metropolitan police kettled over 200 people in DC who were demonstrating against the inauguration of Donald Trump. Protesters were stuck in the kettle for hours without access to food, water, bathrooms, and in the aftermath, protesters report to have being sexually assaulted by an officer as an act of collective punishment.

The trial itself represented an attempt by Department of Justice attorneys, who report directly to Jeff Sessions, (long tied to hate groups), to make a case that anyone who attended the protest was taking part in a conspiracy. Throughout the trial, the State also attempted to construct a narrative that the march was intent on randomly attacking people on the street and represented a clear physical danger to everyday working-class people in DC.

In reality, the limited property destruction that did take place involved only a handful of bank and corporate store windows. Furthermore, the brutality of the police showed during the demonstration was horrendous, as police sprayed chemical weapons at elderly people and young children, who were in turn rescued by members of the black bloc who took them to safety by putting their bodies in between the police and the crowd.

#BREAKING: Jury has found all 6 #J20 defendants not guilty on all charges — Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 21, 2017

During court proceedings, the State also relied heavily on media gathered and produced by a host of Alt-Right, militia, and far-Right trolls, such as the paramilitaries in the Oath Keepers, the disgraced Project Veritas, and even the white nationalist vblogger Lauren Southern. Further still, only days after the demonstrations, a spokeswoman from the police literally sent the entire list of names of those arrested to Alt-Right troll Charles C Johnson, a friend of neo-Nazis Andrew Anglin and Richard Spencer, who then published it on his blog, GotNews, giving a clear green light to the Alt-Right to go after those that would dare stand up to Trump.

After the trial had ended, one juror who spoke to Unicorn Riot stated that based on the opening remarks from the State, the jurors knew from the start that they would not find the defendants guilty, as it was clear that the State had no evidence:

“It was not a close call. The prosecution admitted the morning of day one that they would present no evidence that any of the defendants committed any acts of violence or any vandalism. From that point, before the defense ever uttered a sound, it was clear to me that ultimately we would find everyone not guilty. And while there was a great deal of careful discussion among the jurors, it ultimately at no point was … did it seem even possible that a guilty verdict would come down. This was not close.” – Steve, a juror in the J20 trials

However in the face of the news of a complete acquittal, the State doubled down on its intention to prosecute the rest of the 188 defendants:

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia believes that the evidence shows that a riot occurred on January 20, 2017, during which numerous public and private properties were damaged or destroyed. This destruction impacted many who live and work in the District of Columbia, and created a danger for all who were nearby. The criminal justice process ensures that every defendant is judged based on his or her personal conduct and intent. We appreciate the jury’s close examination of the individual conduct and intent of each defendant during this trial and respect its verdict. In the remaining pending cases, we look forward to the same rigorous review for each defendant.”

This is a clear message from the government that it hopes to crush social movements if it can, or at least tie them up in the courts as much as it is able, regardless of the cost to the public, or the stress and pressure placed on those facing upwards of 50+ years in prison. In New Orleans, one person who was arrested at another J20 demonstration in that city, Nathan Hose, committed suicide in August.

Moving forward, we can be sure that the State will try and play up the dichotomy of “good protesters” and “bad protesters.” It will try and demonize those that it claims dared to touch the windows of the financial and corporate institutions which are controlling our society, destroying our planet, and impoverishing the majority of the population, and demonize those it sees as “organizers.”

Let's take time to remember #J20 defendant Nathan Hose, who sadly took his own life on August 16th. Those that stood up to the Trump regime on #J20 are working class heroes and the pressure is real. They need all the support they can get. #J20trial https://t.co/ymsrjPPW0c pic.twitter.com/zsed9sGzqV — It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 21, 2017

With this in mind, we need to be clear that those that stood up to Trump on January 20th, are all working-class heroes. As Trump’s level of support hits an all time low as he and other billionaires and corporate CEOs plunder our futures, the eyes of the nation now rest on the brave individuals who have found the courage to stand up for all of us.

On another tip, for those in DC, on Friday December 22nd, there is a dance party called at 12 PM NOON. More info here. For ways to support the J20 defendants, go here. To get involved in the J20 2018 week of outreach and solidarity, go here.

Now here’s a ridiculous yet incomplete social media roundup of people losing their minds as well as some media coverage:

#BREAKING: defendants have been notified that the jury in #J20 trial has reached a verdict — Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 21, 2017

Heart palpitations like a motherfucker waiting for this #J20 verdict — Ayyyy its Z! (@zerofuckingcool) December 21, 2017

"The political persecution of J20 reminds us of the ways the US govt has tried to destroy liberatory movements…both here and abroad." #J20 — Jordan N. DeLoach (@jndeloach) December 21, 2017

Anyone that’s ever been in kettle, gone to a march, worn all black, masked up, live streamed, reported, organized, made art for action, this #j20 verdict will effect the future of movements for generations. It makes pretty much everyone accomplice to conspiracy. — bobby london (@i_KAN_love) December 21, 2017

I'm sitting here freaking out till the verdict is read. Just refreshing twitter hoping for not guilty #Defendj20 #j20 #j20trials — Dylan Petrohilos (@dpetrohilos) December 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/georgetownmike/status/943891090083602432

Defendants currently crying and hugging supporters in hallway as US Marshals aggressively remind people not to take pictures or video https://t.co/RlTpzFY3kl — Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) December 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/defendj20/status/943892478465150977

Congratulations to the first round of #J20 defendants. As a movement we supported and stood by each other. Today is a victory but many more still face trumped up charges. The fight continues, but for now, blast some 2Pac out the window and smoke if ya got em! #DefendJ20 pic.twitter.com/TZPUOVNcb6 — It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/mollycrabapple/status/943896058828124160

In awe of the dedicated and vast network of supporters, the defendants who stuck together. Collective defense takes work, and the fight's not over. https://t.co/zJBs3PJuF4 — Sarah Lazare (@sarahlazare) December 21, 2017

#J20 activists found innocent, avoiding decades in prison for protesting https://t.co/EQ0GDWgayK — Carolyn Morrisroe (@CarolynMorrisro) December 21, 2017

There was one group that made it known to all those who were facing the wrath of the United States, that they would stand against state terrorism: the anarchists.The acquittal of the first batch of #J20 defendants means that our struggle continues!https://t.co/Hk0vnNs1KW pic.twitter.com/sHOpSI1yB7 — RevAbolitionMov (@RevAbolitionist) December 21, 2017

“Somehow, beat them charge like Rocky.

Not guilty, y’all got to feel me”#DefendJ20 pic.twitter.com/gyTYxU9N6O — New York City Antifa (@NYCAntifa) December 21, 2017

Oh thank god https://t.co/7IU7O9XNfy — inorganic african feminist (@ztsamudzi) December 21, 2017

#J20 first trial ACQUITTAL ON ALL CHARGES. i'd call it justice, but a state of justice would have never let this infirm mass arrest stick in the first place. — Natasha Lennard (@natashalennard) December 21, 2017

A full acquittal in the first Jan. 20 rioting trial is a big, big deal: This was the first of multiple trials set to take place throughout the next year. Question now is, will the government drop cases or push ahead https://t.co/6EArXmxq0I — Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) December 21, 2017

There’s still more ppl awaiting trial, so don’t stop paying attention just because there was good news today. ?? https://t.co/UmMVuKJZNv — bobby london (@i_KAN_love) December 21, 2017

“a major victory in a year full of absolutely abysmal news” https://t.co/xrqu1bdNos — reclaim UC (@reclaimuc) December 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/MichaelEHayden/status/943906552414638080

I wish I could've seen Kerkhoff's face when the verdict was issued. Still a lot of trials to go, but today is a good day. — Dixie Fried Marxism (@BamaHighTest) December 21, 2017

Got an official quote from photographer @LexShoots, just found not guilty on all counts in the #j20 case: pic.twitter.com/YuTignKcF8 — Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 21, 2017

NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS is an amazing outcome of the first round of #J20 prosecutions – but we can't forget there are many more on the docket. Hopefully the DOJ and police across the country will take these verdicts as a repudiation of mass arrest and mass prosecution tactics https://t.co/mAtoP5gLts — Gideon Orion Oliver (@gideonoliver) December 21, 2017

Alternative idea: Drop the charges. https://t.co/oQhMgJgcDQ — Chip Gibbons (@ChipGibbons89) December 21, 2017

J20 “Not Guilty” Verdict Deals Blow To Trump Admin and Shows the Power of Collective Defense: https://t.co/k3mxtdV2ns @sarahlazare pic.twitter.com/VyiwJTWFwS — In These Times (@inthesetimesmag) December 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/sdrockcab/status/944016428570726401