Glenwood Springs Post Independent Michael Francisco, left, speaks with a supporter outside Carbondale Town Hall after his municipal court hearing Monday evening. John Stroud/Post Independent It’s not often that a small-town municipal court case draws protesters, but an otherwise fairly routine hearing Monday night before the Carbondale town judge did just that. Municipal court is typically reserved for petty offenses and the lowest-level misdemeanors, the latter of which is the case involving Michael Francisco of Carbondale. But many questions have been raised in the community about Francisco’s Christmas Eve 2020 arrest at the local City Market store after what’s been described as a finger-pointing incident the intent of which his attorney says wasn’t threatening in any way.
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A recent Carbondale arrest involving a Black man that is wending its way through the municipal court system has raised questions about police discretion in the matter and alleged racial bias. The situation even prompted a message from the town’s mayor ahead of a Monday afternoon court hearing where some residents have urged a public protest against the charges and a show of support for Michael Francisco. “I would ask that we all approach this situation thoughtfully, and with due consideration, until we all reach a better collective understanding,” Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson wrote in a statement posted to the town’s Public Works Facebook page
Share to Facebook Post to Twitter Email Michael Francisco speaks with his attorney Michael Edminister after a hearing on Feb 8. Photo by James Steindler. Michael Francisco has lived in Carbondale for 10 years. He grew up in Belize, where his father was a police officer, before moving to Los Angeles (LA) when he was 15. He is currently 54 years old. In Belize, Francisco was not familiar with racial profiling as a law enforcement issue. It was not until he moved to LA that other Black men and women taught him it was best to steer clear of men and women in blue.