The Guardian wrote about an extraordinary case in Texas, in which the Trump administration and two Texas judges meted out the equivalent of life sentences for those who participated in an anti-ICE protest that turned violent.
The Trump administration used the trial to show that it would seek draconian punishment for those who protested against its policies. The prosecutors treated the protestors as Antifa, the dread and shadowy anti-fascist group that has no address.
The Guardian described the protest, which turned violent:
Last year on the Fourth of July, a small group from Dallas-Fort Worth held a night-time noise demonstration, setting off fireworks outside the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility south of the cities, in solidarity with the detainees. A few protesters broke away and spray-painted graffiti on employees’ cars and a security post, slashed the tires on a government van, and broke a security camera. The facility’s guards ordered the protesters to disperse, and most of them did. When a police officer arrived at the scene, drawing his gun, an armed protester shot her rifle, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived.
After a three-week trial, a jury found eight of nine protesters guilty of “providing material support to terrorists”, among other crimes. For the Sotos, this “material support” included owning a “printing press” used to print anarchist zines and being part of a leftist book club, the federal government argued. The couple had already left the scene by the time guns were drawn. All eight of the defendants sentenced so far have received unusually harsh sentences – 30 to 100 years – essentially life in prison.
The Guardian article focused on a married couple, Elizabeth and Ines Soto. They were not at the scene when guns were drawn. But agents found a printing press in their home, where they printed leftist literature. Elizabeth was a member of the Emma Goldman book club. Elizabeth was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Her husband will be sentenced on July 1.
The protestor who fired a weapon, Benjamin Song, was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
Certainly, it is unlawful to bring a weapon to a demonstration and unlawful to fire it at an officer of the law. Slashing tires and attacking property is illegal.
Yes, those involved in acts of violence should go to prison. Those who commit crimes should go to prison. But their sentences are wildly disproportionate to their crimes. In the case of the Sotos, it is not clear that they committed any crime.
Here is a summary of the U.S. government’s case against them.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Time to exile Red Emma Goldman
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When protesters bring firearms to demonstrations or resort to violence, it becomes much easier for authorities to justify harsh prosecutions and broader crackdowns. Throughout history, governments have often expanded their powers during periods of fear, arguing that doing so is necessary for public safety. The challenge is protecting public safety while also ensuring that fundamental civil liberties are not eroded in the process. In the end, violence and weapons at protests often strengthen the very forces the protesters are trying to oppose by making it easier to justify repression and turning public opinion against the movement.
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The guy who brought the gun cleared the way for repression and outrageous sentences.
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While I agree that violence gives authority a green light for repression, I would point out that violence has always been the result of oppression. The rivers of blood ran down Paris streets in the reign of terror, but it was not the first time. France was used to violence in the hands of the Ancient Regieme. When nineteenth century strikers fought with weapons, they were only returning what they had experienced in dealing with Pinkerton thugs.
ICE tactics are designed to inspire retaliation, for nothing would please Stephen Miller more than a real rebellion. The wonder is how subdued it all has been.
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All that is true, but in my limited experience, I have always thought it best to approach officers of the law with deference and respect. The guy who brought the gun to the protest created a grievous situation for his fellow protestors.
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Unfortunately, the paranoia in our government has resulted in ICE creating a data base of protesters with the intention of labeling them “terrorists,” according to a recent article in “The Intercept,” who is trying to get the information released by the federal government. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/24/intercept-lawsuit-ice-protesters-surveillance-travel/
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