On June 23rd 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, sentences in the case of the “Prairieland Defendants” were passed. Eight anti-fascist activists received federal prison sentences between 30 and 100(!) years after attending a noise demonstration at the controversial Alvarado ICE detention facility.

After President Donald Trump’s so called “NSPM7”, designating Antifa as “domestic terrorism”, the US government spoke of the “North Texas Antifa cell” further criminalizing community organizing and dissent. One defendant received a 30 year sentence for moving a box of political zines – without having knowledge or even being at the protest himself. So called “material support of terrorism”.

Judge O’Conner acknowledged the court’s political agenda in handing down maximum sentences to “send a message to anyone who shares a similar ideology.”.

Eight Prairieland defendants were sentenced to consecutive prison terms as follows:
Savanna Batten: 50 years
Zachary Evetts: 50 years
Autumn Hill: 50 years
Meagan Morris: 50 years
Maricela Rueda: 70 years
Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada: 30 years
Benjamin Hanil Song: 100 years
Elizabeth Soto: 50 years

This stands in line with other trials like “Antifa Ost” here in Germany and the trial against Maja in Budapest that make a mockery out of justice. They lay bare the realities of the global rise of extreme right, racist, authoritarian movements and of a rightwing in power – unhinged of any boundaries of liberal law.

We are heartbroken and shocked by the cynical guilty verdict and the absurd sentences in Texas, criminalizing anti-racist and anti-fascist activism and free speech, and literally tearing families and friends apart. We stand with our comrades, with their families and friends and send them our love and solidarity.

Antifascism is not a crime! Community is not conspiracy! Free the Prairieland Defendants! Free Maja! Free all antifas!

Plenum of the Rote Flora on June 24, 2026

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Campaign: www.freedes.org / www.prairielanddefandants.com

Press Release:https://freedes.net/jun-23rd-2026-press-release/
https://prairielanddefendants.com/press-release/eight-federal-prairieland-defendants-sentenced-today-to-prison-terms-ranging-from-30-100-years-for-common-protest-activity/