In these years of hostility and growing attacks against immigrants and Latinos, civil rights organizations have been also threatened with violence. The U.S. Department of Justice is correct to stand up firmly for them.
On Monday, a federal grand jury delivered a 14-count indictment against Vincent Johnson, who allegedly sent a barrage of chilling emails threatening to harm employees of Latino organizations. Johnson repeatedly refers to them as not American and as enemies of democracy and brings up his willingness—more like enthusiasm—to use guns and bullets to silence them.
In the emails cited in the indictment, Johnson targets the head of Latino Justice PRLDEF Cesar Perales. Having spent a lifetime defending the Puerto Rican community and Latino immigrants, Perales is no stranger to threats. But the increased number of these in recent years has been shocking, he said.
Some articles tritely describe this case as cyberstalking. But Johnson is charged with causing reasonable fear of death and injury, and intimidating employees engaged in lawful activities to help Latinos. He threatened Perales’ own daughter, Nina Perales, a veteran lawyer and leader of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). “”He knew who my daughter was and said he would do her harm,” Perales said.
Worst of all, even after police warned Johnson to stop harassing the employees of PRLDEF and MALDEF, he became angrier. In addition to the organizations mentioned, Johnson threatened workers with LULAC, the National Council of La Raza and the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders.
Among Johnson’s repeated messages:
“It would give me great pleasure to be at funeral services for members of [PRLDEF and other organizations] as I would piss on their graves.”
“…You and yours are going to get killed.”
“I won't waste my time with legal endeavors...my preference would be to buy moreammunition to deal with the growing chaos created by the pro-illegal alien groups. RIP [C.P. and others] who are not the friends of our democracy.”
The Justice Department’s civil rights division is prosecuting the case against Johnson. We commend the division for its serious and aggressive action in protecting the lives of people who are trying to defend our democracy.
In these years of hostility and growing attacks against immigrants and Latinos, civil rights organizations have been also threatened with violence. The U.S. Department of Justice is correct to stand up firmly for them.
On Monday, a federal grand jury delivered a 14-count indictment against Vincent Johnson, who allegedly sent a barrage of chilling emails threatening to harm employees of Latino organizations. Johnson repeatedly refers to them as not American and as enemies of democracy and brings up his willingness—more like enthusiasm—to use guns and bullets to silence them.
In the emails cited in the indictment, Johnson targets the head of Latino Justice PRLDEF Cesar Perales. Having spent a lifetime defending the Puerto Rican community and Latino immigrants, Perales is no stranger to threats. But the increased number of these in recent years has been shocking, he said.
Some articles tritely describe this case as cyberstalking. But Johnson is charged with causing reasonable fear of death and injury, and intimidating employees engaged in lawful activities to help Latinos. He threatened Perales’ own daughter, Nina Perales, a veteran lawyer and leader of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). “”He knew who my daughter was and said he would do her harm,” Perales said.
Worst of all, even after police warned Johnson to stop harassing the employees of PRLDEF and MALDEF, he became angrier. In addition to the organizations mentioned, Johnson threatened workers with LULAC, the National Council of La Raza and the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders.
Among Johnson’s repeated messages:
“It would give me great pleasure to be at funeral services for members of [PRLDEF and other organizations] as I would piss on their graves.”
