Charges filed against leader of group that toppled Columbus statue on State Capitol grounds

Ramsey County prosecutors have brought felony charges of “criminal damage to property” against the leader of a protest that toppled the Christopher Columbus statue on the State Capitol grounds on June 10th. Officials say while charges against other participants remain a possibility, Michael Forcia was the primary organizer, leader and executor of the action. Prosecutors are taking the unusual step of applying what they call “restorative justice” to this case. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi says instead of an “adversarial trial that would not provide adequate closure for our community”, they’ll bring together people with different opinions to determine how best to hold Forcia accountable “while healing our community from the harm that was caused.”