Following May 1, 2019, Joey Gibson, political activist, was faced with riot charges after a brawl broke out between left- and right-wing forces outside of a bar in Portland. After three years of pre-trial litigation, Gibson's trial finally began on Monday, July 18, 2022, and ended on July 2019, 2022. Angus Lee, Gibson’s criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, argued that Gibson was being tried for his freedom of speech and was being targeted due to his political beliefs. The outcome of this trial was that Joey Gibson was fully acquitted of his riot charges in Portland. Angus Lee Law Firm takes pride in this victory as it affirms our 1st Amendment rights. Continue reading to learn more about this news breaking story and if you or someone you know is facing criminal charges, call us today for a free case evaluation.
Joey Gibson Acquitted on Riot Charges in Portland
About Joey Gibson
Joey Gibson is often called the founder of Patriot Prayer — a political group formed in Vancouver in 2016 — and has been an active political figure in the state of Washington since 2016. Gibson's has reportedly been fighting for freedom at a local level, calling on Americans to pray and support their county. Mr. Gibson is a heavy supporter of our 1st Amendment rights — the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Mr. Gibson has been non-violent in his political activity, and has often been the victim of political violence.
Gibson's non-violent prayer gatherings garnered a lot of media attention and often resulted in attacks from radicals such as Antifa from Rose City. Those who refer to themselves as "Antifa" have deemed Gibson and Patriot Prayer as guilty of having the wrong political and religious views, and have held protests against his events. Joey Gibson is seen as a leader of the Patriot Movement by many and continues to use his 1st Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly to hold Patriot Prayer events across the country.
What Happened That Day
On the day of the incident, May Day 2019, Gibson was involved in a rally outside of a Northeast Portland bar called Cider Riot. It was alleged by prosecutors that Gibson taunted the members of Antifa, which then led to a physical altercation. The brawls lasted no more than 30 minutes, and it was said that Gibson was seen standing near the fight but was not taking any action to stop it. Prosecutors claimed that Gibson was encouraging the brawlers to continue fighting, whereas Lee argued that there was no evidence of Gibson taking part in the violence and that he was only charged because of his political beliefs, as none of the left-wing individuals were charged.
The Outcome
After three years, Joey Gibson was acquitted of all charges on July 19, 2022, in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The ruling dictated that the state did not have sufficient evidence to prove that Gibson was guilty of rioting during the outbreak at the bar in 2019. Shortly after the verdict, Gibson stated outside of the courtroom, “I’m thankful for the decision that the judge made and the judge seemed insulted that (prosecutors) brought this in.”
The acquittal of Joey Gibson is seen as a victory by many 1st Amendment supporters as it affirms their right to freedom of speech. This case also highlights the importance of having a qualified and experienced criminal defense lawyer by your side if you are facing criminal charges. If you or someone you know is in need of a criminal defense lawyer, contact Angus Lee Law Firm today for a case evaluation. We have successfully handled all types and levels of criminal cases and are here to help you through this difficult time.
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You can trust our team to provide you with the aggressive and zealous legal representation you need and deserve.
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If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime, it is important to have an experienced and qualified criminal defense lawyer on your side. At Angus Lee Law Firm, we understand what you are going through and will fight on your behalf to clear your name and get you the best results possible. We handle all types and levels of criminal accusations, including murder, DUI, domestic violence, rape, and drug charges. No matter what you are facing, we are here to help. Call us today for a free case evaluation.