Rep. Katherine Clark’s (D., Mass.) child, who was arrested earlier this year for vandalism and assaulting a cop, was sentenced on Wednesday to complete a year of probation and must write an apology letter to the police officer.
Riley Dowell, 23, who identifies as "non-binary," graffitied a Boston monument with anti-police slogans on Jan. 21 and gave police officer Daniel Roca a bloody nose when he responded to the crime. Dowell must also complete 30 hours of community service and repay the city for cleaning the graffiti, which included phrases such as "No Cop City" and "ACAB."
Clark, who is the Democrats' House minority whip, said in a tweet following the incident that "this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting."
The officer "was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth," according to a police report. Dowell was released on Jan. 24 after paying a $500 bail.
Clark removed a post from her site in the days following her child's arrest that advocated defunding the police. Clark restored the post after a report by the Washington Free Beacon.
In August 2020, Clark said, "Until we take action against racism and police brutality, tragedies will continue." In a March 2021 tweet, Clark said that no "single policy" can "erase the decades of systemic racism."