Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office to Take Non-Criminal Approach for Peaceful Protestors
June 8, 2020 5:52 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Recognizing the time-honored principle of peaceful protest, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office today announced that in connection with the recent protests of the killing of George Floyd, it will not be prosecuting those who engaged only in curfew violations, and violations of failure to disperse and other lawful orders. The City Attorney’s Office will continue to consider for criminal charges violations involving violence, looting, or vandalism.
“Santa Monica has long recognized the value of peaceful protesting,” said Interim City Attorney George Cardona. “Consistent with Santa Monica’s goal of encouraging alternatives to criminal prosecution where appropriate, we will be pursuing criminal prosecutions for those involved in violence, vandalism, and looting, not those engaged only in curfew and similar violations.”
Santa Monica joins the Los Angeles County District Attorney and Los Angeles City Attorney in electing not to prosecute these types of violations.
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov