Therese Patricia Okoumou Found Guilty

It is very disturbing to hear a guilty verdict in federal court today with respect to Therese Patricia Okoumou. Therese was found guilty of three misdemeanor charges: trespassing, disorderly conduct and interfering with government functions for a highly visible act of protest against President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.

Since when protesting one’s right to protest become a dangerous stunt, stated by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman. Yes it was risky, yes it was dangerous but in the minds and hearts of people fighting for rights like immigration it was courageous and heretic. Ms. Okoumou is a hero not a criminal “ Ronald Savage demands” On May 26, 1977, a toymaker from Queens named George Willig scale the outside of the World Trade Center, Upon police taking him into custody, authorities declared Willig would be fined $250,000 for “the inconvenience” caused by his stunt as he was met by applause from onlookers. Now I call that a stunt says Ronald Savage. Willig would make guest appearances on Good Morning America and The Merv Griffin Show. ABC hired him to do stunt work on The Six Million Dollar Man, and he earned cool nicknames like “The Human Fly” and “Spiderman.” But Ms. Okoumus protest is called a dangerous stunt that endangered herself and the NYPD and U.S. Park Police officers who rescued and apprehended her, Justin Casquejo, a 16-year-old from New Jersey who was first arrested in 2014 for allegedly slipping past security and then climbed to the top of the unopened 1 World Trade Center. That incident which raised questions about security at World Trade Center ; he was sentenced to 29 days of community service and two counseling sessions, but Therese Patricia Okoumou who is black women is facing 1 1/2 years—up to six months for each misdemeanor charge after being found guilty. Something is wrong with this picture says Ronald Savage founder of the Hip Hop Movement and United Coalition Association a non-for profit organization. This is a slap in the face to Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Ms. Okoumus was demonstrating Civil disobedience which is a peaceful form of protest, Justin Casquejo, a 16-year gets no jail time for what I call a stunt says Savage, but Ms. Okoumus because of the color of her skin is looking at jail time for protesting against President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. This is a slap on the face to immigrants and the entire black community says Ronald Savage. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman do the right thing, no jail time.