Two people whose images went viral last month as they were shown trying to paint over the “Black Lives Matter” mural on a downtown Martinez street pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to hate crime and vandalism charges.
An attorney for Nicole Claudia Anderson, 42, and David Richard Nelson, 53, both of Martinez, said the hate crime charges against the couple are undeserved, and are being pushed by a district attorney he described as “highly politicized.”
“The fact that my clients disagree with the (BLM) mission is a problem for the DA,” said Bilal Essayli, a Newport Beach-based attorney.
Essayli’s firm is being retained by the Center for American Liberty, a conservative group that “fights against growing anti-free-speech and anti-civil liberties trends,” according to its website.
During a brief appearance with reporters after Tuesday’s arraignment in Contra Costa County Superior Court, Essayli also criticized the city Of Martinez, which permitted the street mural, contending city property and resources — at taxpayer expense — were used to endorse a “political movement” in Black Lives Matter.
Through a spokesman, District Attorney Diana Becton declined to comment Tuesday on Essayli’s contentions. But in July, when the charges against Anderson and Nelson were filed, she said in a statement that the mural is a “a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country.”
Becton’s office had charged Anderson and Nelson each with three misdemeanors — violation of civil rights, vandalism and possession of tools to commit vandalism or graffiti. Essayli objected specifically to the civil rights charge, saying painting over the mural is equivalent to peaceful protesters expressing their views.
Anderson and Nelson, who are domestic partners, are scheduled to return to Superior Court Oct. 13 for a pre-trial conference.
photo: Attorney Bilal Essalyli (suit) with David Nelson and Nicole Anderson – photo credit: Sam Richards
The amount of stupid i read in this article is the reason we have the problem(s) in america we do.
Anyone Who Says This Should Not Be A Hate Crime Is Most Certainly A Racist. These People Are Garbage.
…I don’t think it’s a hate crime. Nice use of capitalization kid. Such a shame 4th grade won’t be opening up this year, you guys really need to be in class. Or maybe you did that on purpose to show how much you mean it…lol
Not a hate crime. This issue is deeper than a “mural” being defaced.Cities/Counties/States should stay neutral and not take sides. I guess these new DA’s and political figures with agendas and big egos that are being put into power positions, should probably have the education/knowledge/experience. They are flat out disobeying /breaking the laws. Guess they think that everyone is too stupid or afraid to stand up for whats right. Im glad to see people fighting back more and more these days. Lets purge these turds out of office!
@BD Do you actually believe that bullying people who don’t agree with you will somehow change their mind? According to the Left, anyone who disagrees with anything they say or do is a racist, and according to you, anyone who disagrees with you is a racist, even though you don’t have any idea why they disagree. So tell me, why should I care what a bully like you or your leftist bully comrades think about me?
By the way, why do you hate the people who don’t agree with you? We don’t hate you.
BD Most of us know who the real racists are. Then there are people like you.
Guess I’m a racist.
Why do you call people racist and garbage? Are you a superpower who can get inside someone’s head and know their thoughts and beliefs? Your accusation and insults only show your ignorance. When all else fails, liberals pull out their racist cards. That’s all they have. Pretty pathetic.
You can donate to their case here:
https://libertycenter.org/pf/people-v-anderson/
I am boycotting Martinez.
I can’t understand why city and county officials are allowing a Marxist front group to create propaganda on one of the most important streets in Contra Costa county.
Says the racist.
And I see you fully support the rioting and violence being perpetrated across the country.
Take your damn faux outrage elsewhere.
The race card- Definitely used by those that don’t the common sense, intelligence and intellectual ability to think beyond always blaming and playing the victim.
So if we don’t subscribe to your ideaology then we’re racists?
That’s a Dictator & a Totalitarian.
Hitler behaved the same way you are behaving. He was a Socialist like you too.
You are racist as well as an idiot.
District Attorney Diana Becton’s election victory was funded by George Soros as were many other District Attorneys throughout the US. Any decisions she makes to prosecute or not prosecute are going to fit her political ideology and pander to the Liberal Socialistic ideals that are being shoved down our throats on a daily basis. I really hope this case gets thrown out of court and Anderson and Nelson take CoCo County and Martinez to the cleaners.
And where exactly do you think that the county gets the money to pay out those frivolous awards? Spoiler alert: The taxpayers.
Are you asking for them to increase our taxes to pay for these stupid people. I think they’ve wasted enough public education And should just leave things that are sanctioned by the county, alone.
It’s actually true. There was a big article about it in 2018. But here you are calling people “right wingers” it’s 100% factual. But you know that
Sorry Hooespring. Look it up if you don’t believe it. Many articles are written about this issue. You can also look up a list of her political contributors if you feel so inclined. Here’s a link to one article you may find interesting:
http://contracostaherald.com/05271801cch/
LOL, everything you Trumpsters don’t like y’all blame on Soro’s. You all blah blah blah about the so-called “race card” being used and then turn around – maybe I’ll call it the “Soros” card.
Playing the race card requires arriving at a conclusion based on immutable characteristics. Soros’ characteristics are not immutable – they are learned behaviors. I’m sorry that you thought you had stumbled across a clever analogy. Better luck next time.
Put me on the jury !!!!!
AD
good for them!
lopsided politics – thats all it is
Time to face the music 🤣
Yep, hope Martinez gets their AZZ sued off, public streets are not made for political garbage.
Not complicated. Political Repression..Look it up. It’s the act of a state entity controlling a citizenry by force for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing the citizenry’s ability to take part in the political life of a society, thereby reducing their standing among fellow citizens..To put it plainly, this political strategy with charges on one side are ridiculous…
What a waste of time
Completely agree! Last I checked aren’t there more serious issues going on then this crap! I mean talk about a waste of my tax paying dollars!!!
When you gotta go out of county to find an attorney to represent you… Regardless of who’s flipping for the bill… That says a lot.
They’ve clearly got no case and only up and comer or somebody wants to make a name for themselves would take this.
Who wants lawyer from around here?? Their all part of the same corrupt system. Get them a jury of their peers please ☑️ I would laugh and point at the DA in open court.
That is second grade logic. I am sure there was a long list of attorneys that wanted to represent them. Where your attorney is from is no indication of your guilt.
I agree Vince!
I remember back when we had to go overseas to fight communism.
Not anymore, for Communism is here but they haven’t gotten full control here just YET.
I thought we went overseas to fight for oil?
How convenient, three weeks before the election.
But that is purely, coincidental . . . .
Wow.
You’ve got SICKENING DISGUSTING MURDERERS PEDOPHILES RAPISTS sitting on “death” row for 25+ years……….but it’s only been a month and these people are Already in Court!?!????
NOT A HATE CRIME. No Organization should but putting their Slogans on ANY PUBLIC ROADS, PERIOD.
The only justice in the halls of justice is in the halls.
The Law was swift in this case because its not about justice but rather about politics.
I worked directly for a Democrat Governor appointee for four years.
I worked directly for a Republican Governor appointee for four years.
The difference was stark and shocking. The experience is what changed me from a registered Democrat to a registered Republican.
Anon you are so right! No organization should put their slogan on a public road.
Road signs only belong on roads, everything else is graffiti.
Keep voting democrat I’m sure this DA has many more stupid decisions coming up in the future also. How can you democrats sleep at night.
Applause
Put me on the jury – NOT GUILTY!!!
Does the couple have a GoFundMe?
GoFundMe cancelled their campaign. Now we know where they stand. You can donate here:
https://fundly.com/costacontracouple-legal-defense-fund
becton is pro illegal …be it acts or people ….
she begs for chaos and riots to control the narrative
she is a democrat cannon …..shooting at anyone who is not illegal or a democrat
she hates and is spiteful……maybe people should look and see why she is so pro crime and against american citizens
#recallthedems
#takebackcalifornia
A “mural” has artistic qualities of which what was painted on the street did not.
What was painted was graffiti.. and crappy graffitI at that.
Martinez’ city manager should be fired for no following protocols which were already clearly in place. The council’s resolve to establish a new process is all smoke and mirrors as one already existed and the city manager chose to ignore it.
Our permit is still under review for the “Make America Great Again” street mural. Holding our breath; hate to have to sue the city for racism, bias, and political favoritism.
Cool don’t be Mad when I paint over it Because I disagree with it…I don’t care if you had to pay and wait for the permit or not. I’ll just do whatever I want. I have my entitlement Card don’t worry
“Cool don’t be Mad when I paint over it Because I disagree with it…”
Fair enough. You’ll be guilty of vandalism and nothing else. Please pay your fine down the hall and have a nice day.
The beauty of life and age,is you see the “bigger” picture. I was fortunate to have that sense early on in life. Many are. Whether it be political agendas, diseases, viruses, wars, dogma, you name it. It all comes down to this in my opinion, having learned the hard way as well. Be careful of the hype of the moment, the movement, the cause as there is always a consequence. Also remember voters blink an eye and change their minds.
Good! Shame on this two people.
I’m sorry, but shame has nothing to do with saving your country from Marxist communist infiltrators (granted you’re a legal citizen).
No shame for the Looters stealing 65″ TVs in the name of George Floyd?
I can’t help but wonder just how much the DA is working from a social justice point of view than from actual law.
The DA only prosecuted cases it knows it can win.
I’d bet that this case will plead out to noone’s satisfaction and quietly go away.
The DA should stick to the law, that’s the job.
If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.
Unless you’re in St. Louis. Then the scumbag circuit attorney will just let you go. Actually, same thing with Becton here, as long as your politics are of the agreeable sort.
What crime exactly? Vandalism?
Amen Brother!
A Boricua man of color, an independent thinker, “The White Rose Movement”
Don’t worry, Judicial Watch, an organization very experienced in these matters is suing Washington DC. Once they created a precedence for a group to be allowed to paint a political message and disallowed another group from painting their own political message, they favored which speech they would allow. The government cannot deny the freedom of speech of any political group.
All Live Matter!!!!!!!!
A Boricua man of color, an independent thinker, “The White Rose Movement”
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if there’s a Jury Trial focused, as it should be, on city manager, members of city council and mayor of Martinez.
Grand jury for that matter.
Cities have always settled lawsuits to avoid a jury trial. I suspect attorneys from both sides, and the judge are already negotiating a settlement (probably over lunch) and there won’t be a trial.
You ok with keep America great next to it ?
JB, I never anywhere else in life met my best of team mates, performers and most of all my equal co workers as my black friends. Why? Because I wasn’t lookimg at color or race, but attitude and performance. Three of my best were Jennifer from Oakland, who confided in me and only me that her husband was shot on street. Lydia, whose son was shot and killed and Cushena who lost both her son and husband in Oakland.
Give it up already. Nobody can hear anything over the Marxists trying to disassemble our country.
Watching these threads, it looks like Trump is the guy to finally turn my state red again. Between the Trump MAGA theme, and the Marxist/commies showing their true intentions. Gonna be a epic landslide..Thanks George
Hard to stand up to zealot politicians and an ignorant, but vocal minority…yet, always a gutsy few who will speak for the silent majority. Bravo Anderson & Nelson.
As always, after reading “Claycord comments” I am always sick to my stomach hearing what people that I could live around say the most BAT S**T crazy thing. Who gives a **** what you think or what political party you think is right or wrong. California is known as a open minded state but yet things you hear from these residents are HORRIBLE.
Go ahead and give me what you can if you want to reply to this but remember …I don’t care what you have to say because your opinion mean NOTHING.
Matt…. if our opinions mean “nothing” to you, why do you get sick to your stomach when you read them?
That would indicate that our opinions actually mean so very much to you that you actually become physically ill when you read things to which you are vehemently opposed!
The “I don’t care what you have to say because your opinion mean(s) NOTHING”. is a nice touch… encouraging us not to reply… and I would not have replied except that your entire post was so immature and idiotic that I just could not help myself!
Please continue to share your “open minded CA opinions”.
Your post was amusing.
I don’t care about you reply Brandi
“I don’t care what you have to say because your opinion mean NOTHING.”
Yep, same as yours.
Matt claims others’ opinions mean nothing…. yet he’s replying to others.
Typical liberal hypocrisy .
Take your faux outrage elsewhere, racist,
He does not care… yet he still bothers to respond?
LoL! It’s not easy being Matt.
Maybe Matt’s fingers are typing independently of his brain….
That would explain alot.
Word in the streets is that Matt cares what others think of him. Matt’s opinions mean nothing to others and it makes him upset. I sure hope you control your temper better when your mom tells you to clean your room.
But all lives do matter, so a slogan that singles out one group of people is superfluous.
Of America’s 100 largest cities, 64 of them are run by democrats.
Year the last republican mayor left office.
Oakland 1977
Minneapolis 1973
Baltimore 1967
Detroit 1962
Milwaukee 1960
Philadelphia 1952
St Louis 1949
Chicago 1931
Washington, D.C. 1910
Shouldn’t democrat politicians have made a difference in lives of Black Americans by now ? ? ?
Here we are 155 years after Civil War ended . . . .
In big cities many Black Americans are dependent on government to have a roof over their family’s head, are dependent on government to put food on the table, . . . etc. .
On Pre Civil War plantations, Slaves were dependent upon owners for a roof over their heads and putting food on the table.
There was so much hope for black youth of America after obama was elected, that Hope seemed nearer when he said,
“We Are 5 Days From Fundamentally Transforming America” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKxDdxzX0kI
Had a majority in congress and could have changed America in a way no previous president had ever done. It was within his grasp, could have left a mark in history greater than Martin Luther King Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccb-cwSFjP0
But Democrat politicians have made a huge difference in the lives of black Americans:
Slavery
The Klan
Poll Taxes
Jim Crow Laws
Eugenics
The Great Society
You cannot force me or anyone else to support your lunatic ideologies. What your group is pushing is authoritarian communism, we all must abide by your rules or else…racist!
Sorry, not sorry. I won’t apologize. Your problems are your problems, not mine. Work on your own community before telling me how I should feel. I’m not sorry that pulled myself up to be successful. I follow the law, work hard to set good examples for my kids, help in the community.
ALL LIVES MATTER!
It’s not racist that I don’t support your Marxist organization.
They will beat this petty charge at jury trial. You don’t get punishment when you win your case. No jury will convict
Peaceful? Does she think what came out of her mouth while she was painting over was peaceful? Myst be a new definition ihadntheard of. If that was peaceful I’d hate to hear her hatefulness.
Please spare us with the “words are violence” crap.
So this is not being racist to the white community??????
The district attorney is perpetuating the problems and not solving them.
Just let the various minorities do what they want, to anyone, anytime, any place with no repercussions. In fact they get rewarded. But along comes someone who is not “a minority of a chosen group” and they are made to feel they are the scum of the earth and have to be punished, jailed and fined and put up for public display.
There is something very seriously wrong with this.
By the way I am also a minority person. So pull back on the rude comments.
Wow, such harsh penalties for misdemeanor charges – at least one of which will not stick. Hate to see your recommendations for actual crimes like rioting, looting, etc.
Stop using words you don’t understand. Equality for All isn’t Marxism
Becton is a disgrace. None of those charges will stick and the taxpayers will foot the bill for a frivolous prosecution.
The body cam footage of the arresting officers of George Floyd has been released the whole entire narrative of this fiasco has been exposed the guy was high out of his mind not cooperating with the police being erratic saying he can’t breathe the second the cop got to the car looks like the entire narrative is falling apart online I guess you lefty guys don’t get your Communist revolution. 30 people lost their lives over this… small children were killed over this I hope you’re happy Democrats! Sick! I hope you’re really happy for the pain you have caused so many people these last few months destroying peoples businesses and property all over this guy who is a junkie cracked out of his mind. The police were doing their job restraining what appears to be a resisting crackhead. I would love to see Dave Chapelle do a comedy bit on this and expose how easily gullible you people are with the media here’s a note never jump to conclusions hear out the whole story
Aliko Dangote $3.3 billion. So much repression in our country.
Oprah Winfrey $2.5 billion.
Patrice Motsepe $2.4 billion.
Mo Ibrahim $2.5 billion.
Bob Johnson $1Bill Cosby – estimated worth $380M.
Will Smith – estimated worth $240M.
Samuel L. Jackson – estimated worth $170M.
Morgan Freeman – estimated worth $150M.
Denzel Washington – estimated worth $140M.
Ice Cube – estimated worth $140M.
Martin Lawrence – estimated worth $110M.
LL Cool J – estimated worth $100M. billion.
What the heck does politics have to do with unarmed people of color dying at the hands of police? The violence that follows after these incidents are simply riots. And riots are the language of the unheard. We got the same reactions when Kapernick silently knelt in protests. But ad the violence, and action happens! So yes, I say hear us are we’ll respond like the violence that can be heard. Listen and act upon our pleas and we can just get along!!
Having “hate crimes” at all in law is un-American and unconstitutional. It violates the First Amendment to criminalize certain kinds of speech, and for exactly the reason you see in this example; The DA is prosecuting these people because their political position is unfavored by the government.
Left, right, or center, if this doesn’t chill your blood then you are not thinking through the precedent set by this case. Hate crime law opens the door wide to totalitarianism. Just look at the UK, where comedians are being jailed under hate crime violations.
If they had painted over it in rainbow colors they wouldn’t be in this predicament at all.
Vandalism, not a hate crime.
Welcome
You realize this is an opion editorial and not news, right?
Well duh, Wipe!
If you can’t tell the difference I’ll give you a hint: The bold black letters in the header above the article spell “OPINION” in fact the web address even says “opinion” right behind the story date.
That should be clear enough even for liberals to understand.
What about all the meth and fentanyl out there?
Must be getting pricey. Supply and demand and all..
@JB “…a slogan didn’t single out the black race, my years of racism did …” Then it’s your problem, not Rollo’s.
MR.
Your confusing frustration with racism.
The commentors are totally frustrated and so am I.
Forty five years ago I moved to Concord from Oakland. We were almost the only family on the block that locked our doors. Why? Because we were from Oakland. The gas stations out here didn’t even have bullet proof plastic up. Oakland stations had it up.
So I suppose 45 years ago that was racist? I would call it surviving.
Now all our neighbors out here in Concord lock everything. By the way in the 60’s in Oakland we left our back door unlocked so the milkman could drop off milk each week.
What happened to Oakland?
Welcome diversity but don’t forget to lock your doors.
I don’t see racism, I hear frustration.
@JB:
“…a slogan didn’t single out the black race, my years of racism did…”
Seems you’ve got some atoning to do. Every individual is accountable for his or her own words and actions, not those of his or her race.
@ Brandi:
Why would Xennial do that? He’s got CNN and MSNBC to rely on.
All I can say is wow. Never knew the fervor of so many Contra Costa County residents and their political beliefs.
Do the research for yourselves from reputable resources and stop listening to the hyperbole.