SACRAMENTO-
Dozens gathered at the Federal Courthouse in support of Maile Hampton, a protester arrested last Monday for felony lynching.
“We have always upheld the law and used our voices,” said Hamton’s mother Teresa Sale. “Unfortunately Maile’s voice was a little too loud.”
The January 18th protest Sacramento Police refers to was caught on camera.
In the video you can see Hampton dragging a fellow protester away from a police officer. Her mother is now speaking out, saying she supports her daughter who stood up for the voices.
“To charge a young black woman who was at a march for anti-police brutality against her fellow people, to be charged with lynching is outrageous.”
Sacramento Police spokesman Justin Brown clarifies that “lynching” does not mean hanging. In legal terms in California, lynching is when somebody illegally tries to release a person who is in police custody.
“There is just a little confusion on the terminology. But in this case, this particular woman was lawfully arrested, and she was taken into custody for warrants,” said Officer Brown.
According to Sale, they never saw those warrants when Hampton was arrested five weeks later at her home on February 23rd.
“Shocked and horrified,” said Sale. “We asked for a warrant, and I did not see a warrant, and they took her in handcuffs.”
Hampton’s bail was originally set at $100,000, but she was released the next day. Now, Hampton thanks her supporters who say will help her through her upcoming legal battles.
“She was released, but the struggle for her freedom is still not over,” said Estevan Hernandez of Answer Coalition. “These are serious charges, but she is innocent. But I think we will receive justice, because she is innocent.”
Hampton’s next court date is set for March 16th. She could face up to four years jail time.
