In late June and early July, anti-ICE activists in Texas received federal sentences between 30-100 years in prison after carrying out a noise demonstration outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Prairieland, TX on July 4, 2025.
The trial became a test case of the Trump administration’s “antifa” executive order, which seeks maximum sentencing through terrorism enhancement charges on the basis of the political activity and ideology of the defendants, targeting in particular all political activity of resistance against US imperialism.
The Worker interviewed a supporter of the Dallas/Fort Worth Support Committee—an organization defending the Prairieland anti-ICE political prisoners—about the sentences, the implications for activists across the country, and how people can support the political prisoners.
Why are these sentences being given now?
Those who went to federal trial have received between 30 and 100 years in prison. The lowest (30 years) went to Des who is only accused of moving a box of zines. The highest (100 years) went to Champagne who is alleged to have injured the officer, though evidence presented at trial raises significant doubt about that. The other folks got either 50 or 70 years essentially for just being in the vicinity.
The folks who cooperated with the prosecution got significantly lighter sentences. In particular Nathan Baumann, who’s the only one with any evidence of vandalizing anything, got less than 2 years. The reasoning behind that was made clear by the judge: Nathan Baumann did not have political affiliations and was not politically involved, so he was not a threat to the community. The judge didn’t seem to care that Baumann’s vandalism was an essential component of the crimes the other defendants were convicted of, including the “material support for terrorists.” His vandalism was the “terrorism” the other folks supported. So it is extremely obvious that these sentences are not about “justice” in any sense, but rather about silencing dissent and spreading fear among those on the left.
What are the next steps for the political prisoners?
There are two main next steps. The first is the federal appeals process. We’ve been really fortunate that a fresh batch of experienced lawyers have stepped up to help with that and we’ve heard there are strong legal bases for an appeal. The way federal appeals work is that they go to the district court (for us that’s the Fifth Circuit) and it’s all about the legal technicalities. The question isn’t really “are they innocent”, it’s “did they get due process.” Remember the U.S. constitution doesn’t grant the right for the innocent not to be punished, it only grants the right to “due process.” If we succeed there it’ll likely get sent back for a new trial. If we fail, there’s a supreme court and then international bodies.
The second step is the state cases, both for the folks who went to federal trial and the other folks who only have state cases. This is going to be a whole different ball game. The prosecutors for Johnson County and the state of Texas are very different from federal prosecutors, and so are the judges. Fortunately so far it seems like so are the lawyers. My gut says these small town prosecutors are going to have their hands full.
What are the implications of the sentences for activists and masses across the country?
The message being sent by the sentences is essentially that those of us who are against fascism and believe in a collective vision of freedom should be afraid. There are certainly very scary implications of this case, but I think it’s really important that people not shut down in the face of that. The last thing we need is for the attempt by the regime to shut down our movement to work!
There are definitely mitigating factors that folks should consider that temper some of the alarm, not the least of which is that the judicial landscape in Texas is different than other places. But more importantly we should hear this moment as a call to action, a call to remind us why it’s so important that we be brave, and why we can’t just roll over and be crushed by the authoritarian turn in U.S. politics. A thing to keep in mind is that authoritarianism is rather normal in modern world history and wherever it’s existed there has always been resistance. That resistance can be easier or harder, but it’s always there. Looking back on history, I for one feel deep admiration for those who fought for freedom against fascism and other authoritarianism. It’s our opportunity now to live up to that tradition and defend what little freedoms we’ve had in our society and fight for even more.
What can be done to support the political prisoners?
No matter what happens next with appeals, etc., our friends will be incarcerated for a while. Moreover, they’re not alone and we have unfortunately a growing list of political prisoners in this country like Casey Goonan, and soon likely Jakhi McCray as well as the Spokane 3. The biggest thing folks on the outside can do is to help keep their spirits up while they’re in there. Prison is not a death sentence, and these folks love hearing from supporters. You can find up-to-date letter writing info for the Prairieland Defendants at prairielanddefendants.com.
The other thing folks can do is talk about the case, weave it into your movement-building work. It’s very common when political movements against authoritarianism succeed that prisoners of that movement are liberated. That’s one way our friends can come home, but it’s only possible if their struggle for freedom is synonymous with the struggle for all of our freedom.
Is there anything you want to say to our readers?
I think the biggest thing we want to amplify is that support from folks out there is so, so important to the defendants. They have consistently been deeply moved that so many people care about them and are following the case. The beautiful thing about solidarity is that it connects all of us. When we realize that an injury to one really is an injury to all, then we realize that lighting off fireworks for ICE detainees, disrupting business as usual so people can’t forget about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, or writing letters to those who’re surviving behind bars are all different aspects of the same drive for freedom, a freedom that either we all have or none of us have. And that’s why we say, FREE THEM ALL!
Image: Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
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