13 Years In Jail For Writing On A Sidewalk With Chalk?

13 Years In Jail For Writing On A Sidewalk With Chalk?
By Mark Memmott
NPR News


There's no evidence that he wrote anything obscene.

His messages could be easily erased.

And they don't seem to have upset many, if any, people.

But in San Diego, 40-year-old Jeffrey Olson is on trial for expressing his opinions on sidewalks outside three Bank of America branches. He's charged with 13 counts of vandalism. Jury deliberations began Friday, . If convicted on all counts, they add, he faces up to 13 years in prison.

Just what did Olson say on the sidewalks that led to complaints from the bank and the vandalism charges?

, the things Olson wrote to express his anger over the financial mess that banks got into and the federal bailout they needed in 2008 included:

— "No Thanks, Big Banks"

— "Shame on Bank of America"

The messages were "always on city sidewalks, washable chalk, never crude messages, never vulgar, clearly topical," before the judge imposed a gag order on the prosecution and defense.

This case has understandably raised questions in San Diego about whether authorities should be prosecuting Olson. :

"If the city loses the case, it might be chalked up to jurors who question if the city should be spending taxpayer money bringing charges against someone who plied his activism — or vandalism — using something that can be easily washed away with a hose.

"During jury selection, Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard asked 12 potential jurors if they thought the case against Olson was a poor use of taxpayer money. At least six hands shot up.

" 'I think this is a tremendous waste,' said one."

Read about this one. Has me saying WTF. The dude is getting railroaded. This is a stupid waste of time, money and energy.

What your story lacks is the fact that the judge is not allowing 1st Amendment arguments. All amendments are under attack at this point in time. We cannot defend only the ones we "like". We must defend them all.

One thing to keep in mind is that headlines can often be misleading.

Second, as Paul Harve has said "the rest of the Story"  How often has he done this, is he restriciting the flow of traffice (on the sidewalk)  has he been warned, ect,  the linked story does not give enough info.
Granted 13 years is too much - but even if found quilty, I doubt he would have recieved the max.

Cant his lawyer go back after it rains and say there is no vandalism? Anyway, just another example of the police state we live in. Been hearing alot of them lately

The penalty (if any) should be community service at the most.  No one was hurt.  No real damage done.  I'd dismiss the case and chastise the prosecutor for wasting the court's time.