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As a form of destructive protest, some anti-Trump activists have taken to vandalizing the president's sidewalk star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Two men have already been convicted of trying to destroy the landmark, and the most recent Trump Hollywood star vandal's sentence was announced on Wednesday – three years' probation, 20 days of community labor, and just one day in jail.
In July, Austin Clay turned himself into Los Angeles police after smashing Trump's sidewalk star with a pickaxe, and was subsequently booked on suspicion of felony vandalism. At the time, 24-year-old Clay plead "not guilty," calling his crime a "rightful and just act." He has since changed his plea to "no contest," according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.
"I think there was urgency behind my actions," Clay said in August. "I feel like I've been called to do what I did."
A felony vandalism conviction can come with a sentence of up to three years. Instead, in addition to Clay's relatively short incarceration period, he is in charge of psychological counseling and a fine of $ 9,404.46 to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Clay Otter, James Otis, who's basing on a sledgehammer in October, 2016, following the release of the infamous Access Hollywood pat. Otis was also booked with felony vandalism, but received a similarly light sentence – three years probation, 20 days of community service, and a fine. Otis apparently also felt some solidarity with Clay after he was busy with the same crime, reportedly stepping up to pay Clay's $ 20,000 lease back in July.
Other protagonists have taken over Trump's sidewalk star, though not so destructive. In September, an artist who goes by "Plastic Jesus" on metal bars, apparently in a symbolic effort to imprison the president.
"There have been calls to jail Trump since the day he was elected," the artist told Huffington Post, "and today he was certainly put behind bars." In 2016, Plastic Jesus pulled a similar stunt, placing a six-inch tall wall around the star, as a way to represent the border with Mexico City.
They are awarded to notable entertainers each year by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, but they're not exactly gifted. Once a celebrity is nominated, the Chamber checks with them to make sure they actually want a star, and then the person nominating, or the recipient themselves, has to pay $ 40,000 for the star to be installed. That fee covers installation, maintenance, and repairs for the iconic plate.
In August, the West Hollywood City Council has unanimously signed off on its resolution to remove its star completely. "West Hollywood 's Pro Tempore Mayor John D'Amico, said. "You have no right to a star … just because you're famous."
The star is not actually in West Hollywood, so the resolution was more of a disapproving statement than a directive. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has condemned the vandalism, but so far refused to remove stars from the walk, saying that regardless of who they represent, they are a part of the history of the area.
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