Black Lives Matter supporters throughout Los Angeles reacted across social media to the arrest of Pasadena organizer Jasmine Richards on Wednesday by denouncing what they called her “targeted arrest” on “false … charges” and made plans to pack the courtroom at her arraignment.
Richards, 28, was arrested on suspicion of inciting a riot, child endangerment, delaying and obstructing peace officers in the discharge of their duties, and lynching, a technical term describing the California offense of an attempt by a rioter to force a detainee from police custody, according to Pasadena Police Lt. Tracey Ibarra.
The arrest stems from a confrontation between police and Black Lives Matter supporters near La Pintoresca Park last Saturday.
Police said the activists, led by Richards, interfered with the nearby detention by police of a woman in connection with a fight which took place in a restaurant.
Black Lives Matter supporters, however, said instead that the arrested targeted Richards for the second time since an earlier arrest in March.
Richards is scheduled to be arraigned after 8:30 a.m. Friday morning in the Pasadena Courthouse at 300 East Walnut Ave.
On Facebook, Richards’ supporters were urged to “pack the court so Jasmine knows we are here for her and so the city of Pasadena knows we’re watching them.”
“The judge and the court need to know that the community is watching,” the supporters say on the “All Out for Jasmine Richards” Facebook page.
Separately, the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Pasadena chapters announced a planned press conference in front of the Pasadena City Jail today regarding Richard’s arrests and their claims that Black Lives Matter chapters across the country are being watched and targeted by police.