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‘Free Palestine’ activist among 16 charged with ‘violent’ assaults on federal officers, property

“We do not tolerate assaults on federal officers, and those who commit that crime will be held accountable,” stated Daniel Rosen, U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota.

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Gavel. Credit: MiamiAccidentLawyer/Pixabay.

Among 16 people charged with “violently” assaulting federal officers and property in recent weeks is an anti-Israel protester, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

One of the Minnesotans charged is Gillian Etherington, of Minneapolis, who allegedly “rammed her car into a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle and drove away,” the department said on Thursday.

“Border Patrol Agents followed Etherington who drove into oncoming traffic and struck an unmarked law enforcement vehicle near a high school,” the Justice Departmetn said.

It further alleged that Etherington didn’t listen to directions from agents to leave her car, and as federal agents tried to remove her, she is accused of putting the car in gear.

“Agents were ultimately able to pull Etherington from the car, but she resisted arrest and yelled ‘free Palestine,’” the department said. “Etherington also tried to grab one of the Border Patrol Agent’s firearm, which fell to the ground and out of the agent’s reach.”

“We do not tolerate assaults on federal officers, and those who commit that crime will be held accountable,” stated Daniel Rosen, U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota.

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