!!!EMERGENCY REBOOT!!! THE PERSECUTION CONTINUES!
Video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT84SWoWc/
After the sentencing hearing, we thought it was over...but the fascists just can't get enough! Here's the latest news:
- Even though all of the assault charges were dropped, Leif's plea deal required him to plead guilty to tricking a cop into thinking his name was Leon Stalin.* Therefore, this resolution still included a period of probation.
- Under the terms of this probation, Leif was given a "no contact order" pertaining to his fascist accusers. This means that Leif is forbidden from contacting the fascists in any way. It also means that the fascists are granted ongoing "victim" status by the court.
- Leif confirmed via a telephone call with his probation officer that the no contact order does not preclude him from speaking about his case on social media or with press. He was given verbal confirmation that his First Amendment rights are not affected by his probation so long as he does not contact the fascists.
- Immediately after the final hearing, Leif's fascist accusers began harassing him on social media. Leif reported this to the court, and was told that the no contact order does not go both ways. Both the Wadsworth Municipal Court AND Leif's local law enforcement have refused to take action against the harassment, the majority of which is transphobic, and some of which is sexually charged. (Only a small part of the harassment will be shared here due to the potentially triggering nature of the content.)
- To document the harassment and to take action without help from law enforcement, Leif began posting screenshots of the harassment to social media along with his own commentary.
- Leif received an email from his probation officer in which she stated that his fascist accusers had called her to complain about Leif's social media. The probation officer threatened Leif with a probation violation for posting things that upset the fascists. In short, she went back on her guarantee that Leif's First Amendment rights are still in place.
- Leif reiterated that his fascist accusers are continuing to harass him, and that all of his posts on social media have been protected speech. However his probation officer emphasized that the fascists still have a right to follow his social media accounts, and that they wish to press charges against Leif for exercising his First Amendment rights. Essentially, any time the fascists dislike Leif's social media posts, they call and complain, leading to indirect threats through the probation officer.
- Soon after this, a podcaster who interviewed Leif reached out to say that they were being threatened by one of Leif's fascist accusers because they interviewed Leif and advertised the interview. Even though the interview did not pertain to that particular fascist, the fascist accuser demanded that the podcaster not publish the interview, and threatened to take action against both Leif and the podcaster. The podcaster has asked to remain anonymous at this time.
- Because Leif is working to establish a platform as a "content creator" on social media, this censorship is particularly harmful. If his fascist accusers continue to push for censorship, Leif will be unable to speak openly about the court case, and therefore he won't be able to finish the tell-all memoir or help others learn from his experience.
- Leif sought legal advice, and was informed that the only way to force the court and the police to hold the fascists accountable is to file civil protection orders against them.
- After consulting with his lawyer, Leif was advised that it would be wise to file the civil protection orders as soon as possible, and to consult a civil rights attorney specifically about protecting his First Amendment rights.
IN SHORT: Leif is experiencing ongoing harassment by his fascist accusers. The harassment has escalated to the point that a journalist who interviewed Leif is also being harassed. The goal of the harassment is to silence and de-platform Leif, as well as to exhaust his resources. The Wadsworth Municipal Court is enabling this harassment, by refusing to take action against the fascist accusers, and by threatening Leif on their behalf. The only recourse that Leif has is to file a civil protection order, and to seek advice from a civil rights attorney. Once the civil protection order is filed, Leif will be able to hold the fascists accountable for their ongoing harassment.
At this time, Leif's leg injury has only just healed well enough for him to walk, and he is still in the process of finding gainful employment. His fascist accusers are well aware of this and are likely hoping to force him to exhaust his resources. Leif is actively seeking employment but the civil protection order can't wait. He needs to produce the funds to pay his lawyer for the protection orders and the hourly work pertaining to them. Leif still needs your help to fight his fascist accusers!
Here's how you can help!
1. Donate, please! Leif doesn't like asking for money again, we promise. Unfortunately, lawyers are expensive, especially lawyers who are willing to represent a trans anti-fascist. The fascists are aware that most trans people don't have access to unlimited funds for legal fees. Leif is counting on the community to help him over this last hurdle!
2. Share and spread the word! This is happening largely because the fascists don't want Leif to share his story. Therefore, it's more important than ever that we spread the word as far as possible!
* Yes, this really happened, and yes, it is hilarious - Leif told a cop that his name was Leon Stalin and the cop believed him until he looked the name up later. Leif is hoping to elaborate on this in his upcoming tell-all video. He would not have done this if he hadn't just been struck in the head with a megaphone. Don't talk to the cops, kids!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All over the US, drag shows and other LGBTQ+ events have been targeted by violent right-wing extremists, and volunteers have been stepping up to defend their communities. This fundraiser is to support a volunteer drag defender named Leif who stopped a violent attack on drag show attendees, and is being targeted with false charges for this act of self and community defense.
On March 11th in Wadsworth, Ohio a drag storytime event for kids was targeted by anti-LGBT extremists, including Neo-Nazis, Christian Nationalists, and Proud Boys. Leif was one of many people who answered an open call for community volunteers to protect the event, after threats were made leading up to the event and event organizers feared for the safety of the attendees.
While Leif was helping escort families with children out of the event, a group of anti-LGBT demonstrators rushed forward at them, striking Leif in the head with a heavy object and continuing to push into the escort group. Fearing for his life and the lives of the people behind him, Leif took swift action to end the attack. Even though he was struck first and he only acted in defense of himself and others, he was charged with multiple counts of assault.
Some political thinkers have noted that in the United States there are “in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Trans people are not a part of the privileged in-group that is protected by the legal system, so we needed your support to fight this case to the finish!
We needed your support...and you came through! Thanks to your support, Leif received the powerful legal representation that he needed. All of the fascist assailants in this case were found to be aggressors, and the judge ruled officially that no child was maced at Wadsworth on March 11th! All the assault charges were dropped, and Leif will walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist now that all court costs have been paid.
