SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – In a joint effort, United States Attorneys David C. Joseph, Western District of Louisiana, Brandon J. Fremin, Middle District of Louisiana, and Peter G. Strasser, Eastern District of Louisiana, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Louisiana are working with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful protests and protect communities from violence and destruction.
According to U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, federal law enforcement resources will be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to maintain peace and order. Attorney General Barr stated that federal resources will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify criminal organizers and instigators, and seek federal prosecutions where applicable. The FBI’s JTTFs are the nation’s front line of defense against terrorism, both international and domestic. Today there are about 200 task forces around the country, including one in the FBI’s New Orleans field office, which supports the state of Louisiana through its local FBI branch offices in Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Baton Rouge.
The demonstrations in Louisiana have been peaceful and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph applauded Louisianians for exercising their First Amendment rights in a non-violent manner. However, if anyone uses these peaceful demonstrations to promote violence or property destruction, prosecutors in his office stand ready to use all available resources to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and protect communities from acts of violence and lawlessness.
U.S. Attorney Fremin emphasized that the Constitutional right to peacefully protest is a time-honored bedrock principle upon which our great nation was founded, and it should be protected. He added, “In recent days, we have seen peaceful demonstrations by well-meaning Louisianans. We appreciate their respect for the rule of law and we support their right to assemble, but make no mistake – criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
U.S. Attorney Strasser stated, “Our office remains dedicated to protecting our citizens and upholding their Constitutional rights. The First Amendment gives every citizen the right to assemble and protest peacefully. Nevertheless, when a few people instigate violence and damage property, we must and will enforce the law. Violence and chaos that disrupts our precious First Amendment Constitutional right shall not be tolerated.”
The tragic events leading to Mr. Floyd’s death in Minnesota are being addressed through our criminal justice system, which is moving quickly. The Minnesota state prosecutor has brought charges against a former Minneapolis police officer and the U.S. Attorney General is also conducting an independent investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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