A lead organizer of Boston’s “Straight Pride Parade,” facing charges in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol, has been ordered to stay away from the Massachusetts State House as a judge allowed him to be released Thursday.
Mark Sahady, 46, of Malden, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, was arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday after authorities said photos on social media showed him inside the Capitol when the pro-Trump mob stormed the building. He’s facing charges of disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and entering or remaining in the U.S. Capitol building unlawfully.
Sahady was held in federal prison until Thursday’s detention hearing when a judge in Boston imposed several conditions and allowed him to be released. Sahady and his attorney initially rejected some of the conditions but eventually agreed to them.
Those orders include staying away from the State House in Boston. He’s also banned from attending or organizing any public rallies without prior permission from probation, and he’s not allowed to unlawfully enter any state or federal building.
“The restrictions, the First Amendment issues here, are justified in part because the defendant is charged with conduct that occurred after and perhaps resulting from attendance at a rally,” Judge Jennifer Boal said during the detention hearing.
“No one is saying that Mr. Sahady can’t in other ways voice support for Mr. Trump or any other candidate,” she added.
After initially rejecting the conditions, lawyer Rinaldo Del Gallo said, “He’s all set. He understands. … We’ll abide by the conditions. We might appeal the First Amendment stuff, but until we win in court, we’ll do as told.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bloomer said the conditions are “not an attempt to limit the defendant’s speech in support of President Trump … these are to ensure the safety of the public.”
Sahady also has to avoid all contact with any person who may be a victim or witness, and he can’t possess a gun. He must surrender his passport by Monday.
Sahady is a founder and vice president of the anti-LGBTQ Super Happy Fun America, known for its “Straight Pride” march in Boston in 2019, and a Trump supporter.
A Natick Town Meeting member was also arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday in connection with the deadly insurrection. Suzanne Ianni, 59, is facing charges of disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and entering or remaining in the U.S. Capitol building unlawfully.
She has also been ordered to stay away from the State House. Ianni is also barred from participating in protests ahead of her trial.
