J20 Defendant Python on Defeating Felony Conspiracy Charges

In this episode we are joined by Python, a former defendant in what's known as the J20 case. On January 20, 2017, the day of Trump's first inauguration, over 200 people were mass-arrested at an antifascist demonstration in D.C. and charged with multiple felonies totaling up to a possible 60-plus years in prison each. After a year and a half of legal battles, and a successful collective defense strategy, almost none of the charges stuck. Python reflects on his experience and offers lessons learned.

Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a PSA from the NLG Federal Anti-Repression Hotline.

Corrected/clarified info:

• After publishing this episode, showmakers were informed the limo was not set on fire until hours after everyone was kettled and mass arrested. Support crew members have said that was a separate incident from the mass demonstration that media misrepresented.
• In the end, majority of defendants did not go to trial and had their charges dropped. One trial ended in a hung jury.

Want to learn more about J20?

We've Got Your Back: The Story of the J20 Defense

Criminalizing Dissent: After Proving Mere Presence J20 Prosecution Rests Its Case

(Zine) I Was a J20 Street Medic and Defendant: How We Survived the First Trial and What We Learned Along the Way

Stay in touch! Follow Outlaw on Bluesky @outlawpod.bsky.social

Cover Image by Mon M.

Intro & Outro Music: Tortuguita by Brass Tapestry (ft. Rev. Keyanna Jones)

Who's Tortuguita? Tort was an anarchist forest defender part of the movement to Stop Cop City in Atlanta. They were murdered by Georgia State Patrol Troopers in their tent in Weelaunee Forest on January 18th, 2023. Some memories of them are compiled here.