Alexander Stokes Contompasis is a Jewish American independent journalist and activist who is currently serving a draconian 20 year sentence for defending himself and three others against an attack by Proud Boys and Oath Keepers on January 6, 2021 in Albany, New York.

Alex Stokes Contompasis is a journalist and artist from Albany, New York. Alex’s work documenting social unrest began in 2014. He was arrested in 2017 in Washington DC during the Disrupt J20 inaugural protests and co-represented over 200 counter-protestors and independent journalists who were rounded up and falsely charged. He was in Charlottesville, VA during the summer protests in 2017. He routinely attended and recorded Black Lives Matter protests in Albany in 2020. He also regularly revealed local white supremacist groups and members. Prior to 2021, he was taking classes to prepare to become an Emergency Medical Technician.

On January 6, 2021, protestors gathered outside the New York State Capitol in Albany, NY in support of the Stop the Steal rally in Washington DC. A handful of counter protesters spoke out against them and a melee broke out after a Proud Boy tased a Black man in the neck. Alex was watching from the sidelines and ran to help others. Police did not intervene until the violence had ended and ultimately arrested three Black activists. Alex was charged with several violent felonies. The Proud Boys who engaged in the violence were not arrested at the scene.

Alex’s family and friends maintain that he was railroaded by the system. He was a journalist under a court-ordered gag-order for over a year. His previous work and experience with dangerous hate groups were inadmissible for his defense, but the prosecution picked apart his social media accounts and portrayed his actions as premeditated. He was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison, despite the fact that no one died and neither of the so-called “victims” received life-altering injuries. One even began a job as an EMT just 6 weeks later.

A man with no previous criminal history, with lifelong ties to the community, was issued a sentence far more severe than most who commit reckless and premeditated acts of violence. His sentence is longer than those who assaulted police officers at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 and those who organized the insurrection itself.

Alex is an amateur journalist. Beginning in 2014, he hosted a local public access channel based in Albany called News World: Albany Banana Corps. He and others commented on news stories and filmed demonstrations against police brutality, environmental issues, and other local concerns, as well as musical performances and multiple public events and meetings. He interviewed local activists and politicians, law enforcement officers, and concerned citizens. He traveled to other notable areas of unrest, including Baltimore Maryland, Washington DC, and Charlottesville Virginia.

Donations for Alex’s legal bills can be made via Cashapp ($freealexstokes) or Venmo (@free_alex_stokes)

https://freealexstokes.com