A well-known activist from west Philadelphia has admitted to a felony for actions taken during the 2020 protests after the death of George Floyd.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Anthony Smith had pleaded guilty to a federal charge for obstructing police during a civil disturbance. The guilty plea comes just a few months after Philadelphia officials announced that they had settled a lawsuit filed by Anthony Smith and other activists who were challenging the police response following the civil disorder and protests in the wake of Floyd’s death.
Smith, 31, said that he flipped the police car outside City Hall with others. The judge stated that people have the right to peacefully protest and assemble, but not “the right to… destroy property.”
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While the judge was attempting to make sure that Smith understood the implications of his plea, according to his attorney, he will be barred from teaching for at least 10 years. Sanchez did not reveal what sentence he would impose on September but he lifted the order that kept Smith in home detention following his arrest in 2021, noting that Smith had complied with its conditions.
The Inquirer reported that Smith refused to comment following the hearing, as his family and supporters hugged him. Defense attorney Paul Hetznecker stated that his client’s “bad judgement during that extraordinary time in our history” is not reflective of his character and long-standing efforts to be a force for good in the community.
The Philadelphia Skyline as seen from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Oil Refinery
Khalif Miller was sentenced to 61-months in prison in April, and Carlos Matchett received 46-months. Ayoub Tabri was sentenced to 364 days, and Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal received 2 1/2 years.
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In March, Philadelphia officials announced that $9.25million would be divided among 343 plaintiffs for police actions taken during protests which erupted along Interstate 676 and in West Philadelphia. A grant of $500,000-$600,000 will be provided for mental health counseling to west Philadelphia residents.
Social media was flooded with videos of Philadelphia police shooting tear gas at protesters along I-676 on June 1, 2020. Lawyers who are suing for events that occurred the day before, in and around a West Philadelphia Business Corridor which is at the center of a predominantly Black community said witnesses claimed residential communities were turned into war zones.
In two audits, the response and planning to the protests were heavily criticized by Mayor Jim Kenney. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw also received harsh criticism. In one review, researchers cited planning failures that led to a shortage of staffing and emotional reactions from officers.
