Charges against activists dropped

7 were arrested in April protest calling for immigrant rights

Charges were dropped in Annapolis on Tuesday related to the April arrests of protesters who called for lawmakers to provide immigrant access to health care.

Anne Arundel County District Court Judge Danielle Mosley dismissed all charges against seven activists representing the immigrant rights organization CASA after they blocked the entrance of the State House in an effort to push the Senate Finance Committee to vote on the The Access to Care Act.

During the demonstration, the seven activists, including Comptroller Brooke Lierman’s brother, Trent Leon-Lierman, highlighted stories of immigrants who could have benefited from the legislation. Emely Deleon, a 22-year-old CASA organizer and one of those arrested, participated in honor of her 49-year-old father, Edgar, who died from COVID-19 the year before.

“We have every right to raise awareness of and amplify this issue in an impactful way that is seen and heard by all who have the power to pass the bill,” Ama Frimpong-Houser, CASA’s legal director, said in a statement. “This is what we were doing in front of the State House. CASA will do all it can to ensure health care is a human right that is honored in this state.”

Had it passed and been signed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, the Access to Care Act (House Bill 588) would have qualified non-incarcerated Maryland residents who are ineligible for programs like Medicare, Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program to enroll in health insurance programs through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.

The bill passed out of the House chamber, but did not receive a vote in the Senate related to concerns regarding the potential price tag for the state.