Jeff Olson, who was facing 13 charges of vandalism for scribbling anti-bank messages in sidewalk chalk outside several Bank of America branches in 2012 has been acquitted by a San Diego jury, according to reports.
San Diego Bob Filer called the charges "stupid," and said "It's washable chalk, it's political slogans. We're not even responding to the public's complaint. ... I think it's a stupid case. It's costing us money."
Olson was facing 13 years in jail and $13,000 in fines if convicted of all the charges lodged against him for writing slogans like "No thanks, big banks" on the sidewalks. Another political message he left was a drawing of a giant octopus using its eight arms to snatch dollar bills, symbolizing the greed of large banks.
The city attorney's office, who moved forward with the case against Olson despite the silly nature of Olson's crimes, released a statement justifying its pursuit of a conviction.
"Graffiti remains vandalism in the state of California. Under the law, there is no First Amendment right to deface property, even if the writing is easily removed, whether the message is aimed at banks or any other person or group. We are, however, sympathetic to the strong public reaction to this case and the jury's message."
Support was so strong for Olson that many in San Diego organized a "Chalk-U-Py" rally, a clever play on the "Occupy" movement in which droves of people camped out in financial districts and in front of banks, refusing to budge in protest of banking practices and greed.
Olson backers wrote messages such as, "This is NOT vandalism" and "Freedom of Speech,"...all in chalk of course.
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