Judge Declares Green Valley JP Justified in Raytheon Protest Ruling

A Pima County Superior Court judge has upheld a ruling by Green Valley Justice of the Peace Judge Ray Carroll regarding trespassing charges against four protesters. The group was arrested while blocking traffic near Raytheon in November 2023.

The protesters sought the dismissal of charges, claiming violations of their rights under Arizona’s Free Exercise of Religion Act. Carroll rejected their plea, prompting the defendants to appeal the decision to the Superior Court.

In a ruling issued on April 30, Judge Richard Gordon affirmed that the protesters—Jaclyn Ann Hubersberger, Katherine Anna Marie Oftedahl, Josie L. Shapiro, and Seth Joseph Wispelwey—demonstrated a religious motivation for their actions. Their intent was to disrupt traffic to draw attention to what they perceive as complicity by Raytheon in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Gordon acknowledged their religious convictions but emphasized the obligation of Pima County sheriff’s deputies to maintain order and safeguard Raytheon’s property rights during the demonstration.

“The defendants had rights deserving of protection during their Nov. 30, 2023, protest. However, the state also had a compelling interest in protecting the rights of Raytheon and its employees,” Gordon stated.

The cases have now been referred back to Judge Carroll for further proceedings.