People held hostage in SLO were the victims, not the protesters
February 25, 2021
OPINION by GORDON MULLIN
Regarding the Feb. 19
Tribune editorial, “Video shows irate driver hitting SLO protesters,” but is it the driver who’s the victim?”
The
Tribune’s editorial is about the events of last July when a group of Black Lives Matter protesters decided it would be a good idea to take their demonstration off the streets of SLO and onto Highway 101 and block traffic in both directions.
First, a little background. There had been several prior demonstrations in downtown SLO and of course anyone who followed the news at the time knew of the multiple protests across America. Many were peaceful. Many were violent. The marches in SLO were peaceful for the most part up to July aside from a June 1 demonstration when the police used tear gas to break up the crowd.
During a Feb. 16 meeting, San Luis Obispo City council discussed findings of a recent After-Action Report about a June Black Lives Matter protest where San
New drone footage released by a defense attorney Tuesday shows a car hitting a Black Lives Matter protester during a July 2020 demonstration in San Luis Obispo.
Newly released drone footage shows collision between BMW driver and protesters in SLO
SLOPD drone video released by attorney Vincent Barrientos shows an altercation between a driver and Black Lives Matter protesters on Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo on July 21, 2020.
Posted at 3:34 PM, Feb 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-17 01:36:01-05
Attorneys for two Black Lives Matter demonstrators are calling for charges to be filed against the driver of a silver BMW who was involved in an altercation with those protesters.
Sam Grocott and Robert Lastra are two of the six people charged in connection with a Black Lives Matter protest that took place in San Luis Obispo on July 21.
–Legal counsel for the County of San Luis Obispo on Tuesday rejected the claims of Black Lives Matter protestors against San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow. Tianna Arata, Sam Grocott, and Robert Lastra filed claims with the county last month in excess of $10,000 each for allegations of civil rights violations, racial discrimination, and defamation.
The county’s law firm Carl Warren & Company replied to the three claimants: “Notice is hereby given that claim, which you presented to the County Administration Office… was rejected. Subject to certain exceptions, you have only six months from the date this notice was personally delivered or deposited in the mail to file a court action on this claim.”