District Attorney urges peaceful protest within state and federal law
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow.
Statement emphasizes peaceful demonstrations and equal application of law
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow issued a community reminder Jan. 15 regarding lawful protest activity and questions surrounding calls for “ICE-Free Zones.”
In the statement, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office said it recognizes and respects the constitutional rights of individuals to peacefully protest, petition the government, and exercise free speech in public forums. The office stated that these rights are fundamental to democracy and remain protected in San Luis Obispo County.
The statement also noted that while lawful protest activity is protected, conduct that becomes violent or otherwise criminal is not. When protest activity crosses into unlawful behavior, it may result in arrest and prosecution, consistent with how other criminal conduct referred to the office is handled.
According to the district attorney’s office, its role is not to assess the political messages being expressed during protests but to uphold the law fairly and impartially. The statement said that if charges are filed, each defendant is treated with respect and dignity throughout the justice process and is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The office also addressed questions it has received regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the concept of “ICE-Free Zones.” The statement said federal law applies nationwide under the U.S. Constitution and that local or state governments do not have the authority to prohibit lawful federal enforcement activities. The office said terms such as “ICE-Free Zones” or sanctuary designations are often symbolic and do not override federal jurisdiction.
Dow said in the statement, “I will always support the rights of people to protest; however, I strongly urge them to do so safely and within the limits of both Federal and California law. Any behavior that is violent or otherwise criminal will detract from the weight and value of your political speech and may lead to arrest and prosecution.”
The district attorney’s office said it encourages community members to exercise their rights peacefully, responsibly, and safely, and reiterated its commitment to upholding the Constitution, protecting public safety, and ensuring equal justice under the law for all.
