Eight people who U.S. prosecutors said had ties to Antifa have been sentenced to a total of 450 years in prison for rioting outside an immigration detention center in Texas.
A former U.S. Marine Corps reservist has been sentenced to 100 years in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. The sentences for the others range from 30 to 70 years, according to the Justice Department.
Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Antifa (short for anti-fascist) as a “domestic terrorist organization.”
A U.S. judge called their actions on July 4 an “assault on democracy,” and their families condemned the sentences.
“Today’s ruling makes clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and decisive justice,” Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche said in a statement.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said North Texas Antifa Cell agents began shooting, throwing fireworks and vandalizing the building’s vehicles and security kiosks at the facility in Prairielands, south of Dallas, during the Independence Day holiday last summer.
Eight people were found guilty on various charges, including rioting, using weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, and obstruction.
Song Han-il, known as the leader of this group, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. He was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.
Song said in a written statement Tuesday that he opened fire because he believed police were going to open fire on protesters, according to several media outlets and defense advocacy groups.
His mother, Hope Song, disputed the claim that he fired at police officers and said he did not intend to harm anyone, according to the Associated Press.
