Anti-Trump protesters at the Capitol in Carson City on Feb. 5.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
Three people are facing misdemeanor charges — including a man who allegedly drew a firearm — resulting from an incident at an anti-Trump protest on Feb. 5, according to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office.
On Feb. 5, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office issued a news release after a protester alleged a firearm was pointed at them. The news release solicited information about the event and was part of CCSO’s investigation.
A statement sent by District Attorney Garrit Pruyt on Friday described the incident:
“Recently, there was a demonstration outside the Nevada State Capitol Building along North Carson Street. A large group of people gathered on the sidewalk and were waving flags and posing with signs as traffic passed. One individual with a flag began slowly lowering it in front of moving vehicles such that it obstructed the roadway. This individual was also slowly moving into the roadway, but there did not appear to be an intention to cross the road on foot. Rather, the movement seemed to be intended to obstruct drivers on the roadway and draw their attention away from the road and toward the demonstration.
“At one point, the individual with the flag lowered it in front of a white pickup truck, that truck then veered over the line marking the bicycle lane toward the individual with the flag. The individual carrying the flag quickly stepped back out of the way of the vehicle. However, as the vehicle veered, the individual with the flag swung the PVC pole striking the windshield of the pickup. The hit had sufficient force to cause a large crack in the windshield. Upon this action the driver of the truck abruptly stopped. A separate individual, not previously involved, immediately rushes to the passenger side of the pickup truck, knocks on the window, and then attempts to forcibly open the front passenger side door. Video collected during the investigation shows that in response to this action, the driver of the truck draws and displays a firearm. With passing traffic, the video does not show that the firearm was aimed in the direction of protesters, but it is clearly seen displayed in a side profile view.
“All three individuals involved are being charged with misdemeanor offenses corresponding with their illegal conduct. Charges will include injuring or tampering with a motor vehicle, obstructing a roadway, breach of the peace, and drawing a deadly weapon in a threatening manner.”
On Monday, Carson Sheriff Ken Furlong said the three involved would receive summons to appear before a judge in Carson City Justice Court, where they will answer to the charges and could be arrested.
Furlong said CCSO referred the matter to the DA on whether arrests were warranted. He said he was “absolutely” supportive of the DA’s office using summons compared to typical arrests, although he didn’t know the date of the court hearings.
Furlong also mentioned another incident from a Feb. 17 anti-Trump protest in the same location. Stemming from that protest, a reported battery is being investigated and has been referred to the DA’s office as well, he said.
CCSO expects another similar protest in the first week of March, Furlong said.
The DA’s office cautioned against any criminal action during political protests.
“As the state capital, Carson City has a proud tradition of political debate and civil discourse. The ability to protest and otherwise peacefully assemble to share and debate ideas is something to be celebrated,” according to the DA’s statement. “However, any criminal actions taken during any form of protest will still be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Additionally, any person engaging in violence during any first amendment process will not be tolerated. Regardless of if a protest is occurring, it remains illegal in the state to obstruct roads, use or attempt to use force or violence against another, threaten or harass others, or to otherwise cause physical harm to persons or property. The Carson City District Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that Carson City remains a safe and law-abiding forum for political expression.”
According to the Associated Press, the first wave of anti-Trump protests on Feb. 5 grew from a movement called 50 protests, 50 states, one day, “organized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501.”
The Feb. 5 protest in Carson echoed the early days of Trump’s first presidency in 2017, when “resist” became a motto for opposition movements.