Wednesday morning marked day three of court hearings for the eight street vending activists arrested by The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as part of their “Operation Accountability,” which happened exactly two weeks ago today and continues to draw protests in defense of the activists.
According to a press conference held by the sheriff’s department on the day of the arrest, the activists are looking at multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and allegedly engaging in violent crimes at demonstrations that occurred this past September.
The activists, who were denied bail and have spent the holidays in jail, include well-known street vendor advocates and community members Edin Alex Enamorado, Wendy Lujan, Gullit Acevedo, Stephanie Amesquita, Fernando Lopez, Edwin Peña, and Vanessa Carrasco.
Out of the eight activists, only seven had court on Wednesday. The only one absent was Lujan, who is currently being quarantined due to a COVID-19 infection. Her court hearing will resume on January 2nd.
Supporters and families of The Justice 8 returned to the Victorville Superior Court this week equipped with t-shirts and posters that read “Free Them All” and “Activists Are Not Criminals, Give Them Bail.” Many packed the courthouse on Tuesday and returned Thursday with the hopes of hearing about a possible bail set for the activists.