A woman accused of political intimidation for participating in a convoy of former President Donald Trump supporters surrounding a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas in 2020 claims the incident was an exercise in free speech and not meant to obstruct the bus's progress.
Randi Ceh and her husband, Steve Ceh, are among six individuals being sued for encircling the bus on Interstate 35 as it headed to a campaign event on Oct. 30, 2020.
Randi Ceh defended their actions as a 'Trump Train' political exercise, emphasizing it was not intended to intimidate anyone but rather a display of political support.
The trial, initiated by plaintiffs including former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, alleges assault and political intimidation tactics against the Trump supporters, citing violations of state law and the federal Enforcement Act of 1871.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021, seeks punitive and compensatory damages for the alleged reckless driving and collision attempts by the convoy members.
The defendants argue that their actions were protected speech and deny driving recklessly, attributing a collision incident to a campaign staff member.
During the trial, evidence was presented showing social media posts by Randi Ceh indicating awareness of the convoy's impact on the bus's progress, including the use of the hashtag '#BlocktheBus.'
Randi Ceh and her husband had organized similar 'Trump Trains' in the past, with the convoy in question growing to nearly 1,000 vehicles on the night before the bus incident.
Steve Ceh, also a defendant, described the 'Trump Trains' as gatherings of prayer, faith, and a family atmosphere, distancing their intentions from any malicious intent.
The trial is set to continue, with testimonies and evidence being presented to determine the outcome of the case.
