Black Lives Matter Pasadena Organizer and Founder Faces 2 Upcoming Court Dates, Multiple Charges

Two April 6 pre-trial hearings have been set for Black Lives Matter Pasadena Organizer and Founder Jasmine Richards who, in separate cases, faces a charge of criminal threat and disturbing the peace in one matter and a charge of battery on an officer and resisting arrest in connection with a Nov. 16 public meeting.

“We believe that none of these charges should actually be filed,” said Richards’ attorney Nana Gyamfi. “They’re all coming out because of her protest activity.”

Both cases are set at 8:30 a.m. on April 6 in Department N of the Pasadena Superior Court.

Police arrested Richards as part of an investigation into a group of people they claim interfered with the arrest of a battery suspect Aug. 29 at La Pintoresca Park. The group consisted of members from Black Lives Matter. Several other people were arrested and released on misdemeanor counts.

Those arrested included an 11-year-old and three other juveniles no older than 16. Richards pleaded not guilty.

“The reality is that they have a bunch of people that are out there. She’s (Richards) not engaging in any activity that’s different than any other person that’s out there,” Gyamfi said. “Strangely, she’s the only person out there who’s arrested for the protest.”

Still, according to Will Rivera, Pasadena Chief Assistant City Prosecutor, the incident in Old Pasadena was captured on video by police officers, adding that Richards attacked a random person crossing the street, where she allegedly verbally assaulted him. She also allegedly tried to spit on the man and chased him into a nearby Cheesecake Factor restaurant.

In the matters of battery on an officer and resisting arrest in connection with a Nov. 16 Public Safety Committee Meeting, Rivera said he was actually in attendance.

“This one is a little trickier for me to comment on because I’m actually a witness,” he said. “ I’m actually walling myself off on that one. I just can’t comment.”

Gyamfi claims that the alleged assault was simply a case of Richards brushing the arm of a police officer as she walked by.

“You know, they have seats on one side and seats on the other side,” she said. “I guess you could call it a corridor or something, or an aisle way. She (Richards) brushed him (the police officer) when she was walking there.”

And while in the throes of Richards’ legal challenges, an online social media campaign has been launched drawing attention to Richards’ efforts to raise money, possibly to fund her legal endeavors and definitely to further her political agenda. So far, $1,661 has been raised in lieu of a goal of $50,000.

“All donations will actually go towards helping me organize, helping me to get out there and organize,” said Richards during an online video presentation. “I’m trying to show everybody that we have to stand together.”

“I’m asking the public to get involved,” added Richards, who founded Pasadena Black Lives Matter in January 2015. “It’s one thing to sit out there and talk about an issue, but it’s another thing to get out there and do something about that issue. I have no means to an end now. But I do know I want to do this work permanently.”

In addition to these charges, Richards is also charged with felony lynching — a legal term describing someone who participates in the taking by means of a riot of another person from the lawful custody of a peace officer —  in a separate case being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.