In August 2020, Torrey, Amara, and Justin marched with approximately three dozen people along the main street of their small hometown of Gainesville, Texas, to protest a Confederate monument. The march was peaceful, short, and went smoothly.
Days later, they were surprised to receive arrest warrants for “obstructing a highway or other passageway,” a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law. They were convicted and sentenced to jail and ordered to each pay a $2,000 fine. They’re afraid of losing their homes, jobs, and precious time with their loved ones, including young children.
Witness their story in their own words:
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We're asking the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn their convictions. If their convictions are upheld, it would set a dangerous precedent for Texans who value free speech.
Whether marching in a small town, rural area, or a big city, no Texan should go to jail for exercising our constitutional right to peacefully protest.
