A protest on Columbus Day resulted in five people charged with felony vandalism in Downtown San Rafael. The protest organizers identified themselves to the Independent Journal newspaper as members of the Coast Miwok group. About 40 people were involved in the protest at St. Raphael Church in San Rafael, which features the statue of Junipero Serra, a historical figure the Miwok group blames for the colonization of Native Americans in California.
While the protest began peacefully, it turned to vandalism when red paint was thrown on the statue and straps were used to pull down the statue.
San Rafael Police were asked by the church to stand by unless violence against people happened. So, they watched as the statue was vandalized, then after the protest cited five people they believed responsible.
Those cited were Oakland residents Ines Shiam Gardilcic, 40, and Victoria Eva Montanopena, 29; Melissa Aguilar, 36, of Novato; Mayorgi Nadeska Delgadillo, 36, of San Rafael; and Moira Cribben Van de Walker, 25 of San Anselmo.
Why didn’t the police stop the desecration of the statue?