In an interview, Daniel Sanchez Estrada speaks about his arrest for transporting anarchist zines after a protest against ICE in Texas.
  • I Cast Fist@programming.dev
    17·
    9 hours ago

    On the day before Thanksgiving, he was released without warning or explanation. He walked out to a jail parking lot relishing the fresh air — and watching over his shoulder.

    During the week that followed, Sanchez Estrada savored his time with family members and worried that his release might have been an accident. Apparently, he was right.

    “My charge is allegedly having a box containing magazine ‘zines,’ books, and artwork,” Sanchez Estrada said. “Items that should be protected under the First Amendment ‘freedom of speech.’ If this is happening to me now, it’s only a matter of time before it happens to you.”

    Sanchez Estrada faces up to 20 years on counts of corruptly concealing a document or record and conspiracy to conceal documents. The stakes are higher for him than other defendants because he is a green card holder, which ICE spotlighted in a social media post that included his picture and immigration history.

    Fuck, I hope he can manage to get proper justice against the govt for this farce, but I fear whatever judge will just say “immigrant antifa” and condemn him to that Salvadorian prison

    • Juice@midwest.social
      9·
      7 hours ago

      He was probably released accidentally on purpose due to his status. ICE has been picking people up who have criminal records, technicalities really, but then using that as additional legal definition of illegal immigrant. It legit is a free speech violation and he will probably win.

      But if they can drop it then pick him up later they can just disappear him into the system. He Wong have been picked up for having anarchist materials, he’ll be picked up for having former charges that were never resolved.

      Damned if you do damned if you don’t. His case is def stronger now than it will be in the future

  • infinitesunrise@slrpnk.netEnglish
    14·
    9 hours ago

    This guy is a hero. Prosecutors frequently drop charges against people who they fear they can’t garauntee a prosecution against, because that can set legal precedent against more abusive prosecution in the future. So by intentionally turning himself back in Estrada is basically forcing the government’s hand and holding them accountable.

    It’s dangerous, because our justice system is a farce, especially in Texas. But if he wins he can protect countless others from governmental abuse in the future.