Assault and resisting arrest charges dropped against DC climate activist
Rachel Schilke
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The charges against a Washington, D.C., climate activist have been dropped after he was arrested in October on claims that he assaulted police officers.
Kevin Cramer, 27, of Arlington, Virginia, was charged in the district’s Superior Court “on three counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of resisting arrest,” per the Washington Post. The charges were then dropped by prosecutors on Jan. 9, according to court documents.
Cramer’s attorney Brandon Burrell told the outlet that the case was dismissed without prejudice, which allows the prosecutors to refile charges at another time if they choose to do so.
The video of Cramer’s arrest went viral on social media, as the footage showed police pushing Cramer and other activists to the ground during a protest on Oct. 14, 2022.
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While the video did not show the events that led the police to apprehend Cramer, officers wrote in an affidavit that Cramer allegedly “threw a pile” of leaves and dirt at two officers, which struck them in the face. The activist allegedly struck and punched the officers while they attempted to take him into custody.
Cramer echoed statements made by other activists that officers had sat on his head and kneeled on his neck, back, and face. He claims that he has back and neck pain from interacting with law enforcement.
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“He was protesting, trying to exercise his First Amendment rights, and he didn’t have a good experience that day,” his attorney, Burrell, said.