By Nathan Solis
A Superior Court judge on Thursday denied bail again for a group of activists dubbed the “Justice 8” who have been in jail for two weeks facing charges stemming from protests in San Bernardino County and elsewhere.
Prosecutors allege Edin Alex Enamorado and other street vendor advocates have carried out intimidation tactics, showing up at workplaces and homes of people targeted in his social media campaigns, which are intended to publicly shame customers who attack vendors or those who make racist comments.
Enamorado, 36, and seven other activists were arrested Dec. 14 amid what authorities described as a months-long assault investigation after a Sept. 3 protest in L.A. County and another in Victorville on Sept. 24. The investigation grew to involve police from other cities in the Inland Empire, including Upland, Fontana, and Pomona, who contended that the suspects were involved in other “violent acts during protests” in those cities.
In addition to Enamorado, those arrested were his partner, Wendy Lujan, 40, of Upland; David Chavez, 28, of Riverside; Stephanie Amesquita, 33, of San Bernardino; Gullit Eder Acevedo, 30, of San Bernardino; Edwin Pena, 26, of Los Angeles; Fernando Lopez, 44, of Los Angeles; and Vanessa Carrasco, 40, of Ontario. All have been charged with carrying out violent attacks against three victims, according to court documents.
Acevedo was the only one granted bail with orders to remain off social media, have no contact with the other defendants, and wear an ankle monitor.
Source: L.A. Times
