According to reports, a Utah woman is facing one year in prison for allegedly damaging the “Back the Blue” sign at a gas station.
according to Salt Lake City TribuneAccording to reports, the unnamed 19-year-old woman was charged with a hate crime after she was found “stomping her feet” on the “Back the Blue” sign at the Panguitch gas station.
In a probable sworn testimony seen by the publication, an official said that he saw the woman destroy a sign when the woman stopped for traffic at the same gas station because of speeding.
The Garfield County police officer added in the affidavit that he saw the woman “smash it (the sign) in a destructive way and throw it into the trash can, while smirking at me in a threatening way.”
According to the report, the police officer asked the woman where he got the sign. The woman then claimed that it was her mother’s.
according to Salt Lake City Tribune, The police officer told the woman that the sheriff’s office had made these special signs and believed that “she was obtained in our community”.
The official subsequently claimed that after the woman later claimed that she had found the sign on the ground, her statement about where she found the sign was “contradictory.”
In the affidavit, the official wrote: “Because of [the woman] In an attempt to intimidate law enforcement agencies to destroy property that did not belong to her, I arrested her. “
It added that the charges against the woman were regarded as “hate crime reinforcement charges” because ” [the woman] Attempts to intimidate law enforcement agencies while destroying the’signs of support for law enforcement’. “
According to Utah law, “intimidation or intimidation” refers to actions that cause the person to worry about his personal safety or damage the person or the property of others.
The law continues in the section “Punishment for Hate Crimes-Violation of Civil Rights”: “The act must be accompanied by an intent or an intent to cause a person to reasonably fear the free exercise or enjoyment of any guaranteed rights. By the state constitution or law y The Constitution or laws of the United States.”
According to the publication, the woman will face one year in prison or a fine of $2,500. It is not clear when the alleged crime occurred.
Weekly newspaper The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for comments.
“Blue Lives Matter” and “Back the Blue” have become lightning rod statements in the ongoing cultural war that has swept the United States in recent years.
Earlier this year, A viral TikTok video shows a white student yelling at a white teacher Because the Blue Lives Matter banner was displayed in his classroom.
In April, Bystanders accused officials of saying “blue life is important” Shortly after a policeman shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
During the “altitude” periodBlack people’s fate is also fate“The campaign, held “Blue Life Issues” rallies across the country, This led to peaceful counter-protests and conflicts.
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