1 year ago
16
CONWAY, Ark. – A University of Central Arkansas student sent to jail for his part in a protest for trans rights at a Conway School Board meeting last year, is appealing his sentence.
Alex Barnett was among the crowd shouting "Trans lives matter" to the school board after an October vote regarding the use of bathrooms and room assignments on overnight trips being determined by a student's gender at birth.
"I got 10 days in jail for voicing my opinion in a democracy," Barnett said.
The school policy later inspired a bill that became state law this year.
The November protest ended with three arrests, but as of May 8, Barnett, a junior student at UCA, is the only one sentenced to 10 days in jail.
Barnett, Keylen Botley and Colburn Clark were each charged with the two misdemeanors, criminal trespassing and failure to disperse.
A district judge found Barnett guilty of both and ordered Barnett spend 10 days in jail and pay $400 in fines. Including court costs and other fines, his feels totaled $950.
Following one night at the Faulkner County Detention Center, Barnett appeal...
English (US) ·