maile hampton

Lynching charges against Maile Hampton, a 20 year-old activist, have been dropped according to the Guardian.

The Sacramento, Ca. native was charged with lynching during a Black Lives Matter protest for pulling a fellow activist away from a police officer. She was charged under an archaic 1933 California law that defines lynching as, “The taking by means of a riot of any person from the lawful custody of any peace officer.”

“I am very surprised that Sacramento chose to do the right thing but happily surprised. That could have straight-up ruined my life,” Hampton told supporters.

Hampton now faces a misdemeanor charge of “interference with a peace officer in the performance of his/her duties”. That charge could lead to one year of imprisonment, but could be resolved through a fine or jail diversion program.

Photo: Maile Hampton/Facebook