June 07--A Black Lives Matter activist who was found guilty of interfering with Pasadena police officers as they were taking a suspect into custody last year will be sentenced Tuesday morning.
Jasmine Richards was arrested by Pasadena police in September, following a demonstration in La Pintoresca Park. Police arrived at the scene after a woman reportedly walked out of a restaurant in the 1300 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue without paying. The woman joined a group of people, including Richards, who had gathered at the park after a peace march, said her attorney, Nana Gyamfi.
When police took the woman into custody, Richards tried to start a riot, prosecutors said. Richards was arrested several days later after police reviewed evidence of the incident.
In the past, Richards has spoken out against the actions of police, including the killing of Kendrec McDade, a black 19-year-old who was shot while running away from two Pasadena police officers in 2012.
Nearly 65,000 people have signed an on-line letter of support for Richards.
Richards faces a maximum four year sentence.
