The incident unfolded when police arrived on the scene, establishing a barricade using their patrol cars around a designated transport van. The van soon became encircled by protesters, leading to an escalating chain of events as per the assertions made by the state. A demonstrator allegedly damaged the van’s tires using a boxcutter, while the windshield was obscured with spray paint. As the tension escalated, the police resorted to deploying smoke canisters and pepper projectiles towards the protesters.
Adding to the chaos, it is alleged that a federal defendant picked up a spent smoke canister and hurled it back towards the law enforcement personnel. In response, the police reportedly aimed and shot towards the ground near the protesters, an account which was later disputed. Bajun Mavalwalla I claimed through a social media post dated July 16th, that his son had been unintentionally struck by a nonlethal projectile on the flank of his buttock.
Bajun Mavalwalla, the father, was originally from a farm near Petaluma while the son divided his upbringing between the farm and Cotati. Mavalwalla II, known as Baji among friends and family, continued his education at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. The Mavalwallas, who have a considerable number of relatives and an expansive circle of friends in the area, were shocked and perplexed upon hearing the news of Mavalwalla II’s unexpected arrest.
One factor contributing to the widespread surprise was the notable history of military service within the family, including both of Baji’s parents. Bajun and Ellyn, Baji’s parents, were college sweethearts who enlisted together, trained together, and served together at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Their marital journey, which started in college, however, ended in divorce.
The senior Mavalwalla successfully scaled the military ranks to become a captain and a National Guard recruiter before serving as an intercept operator in Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. On the other hand, Mavalwalla II’s military career was marked by an early start – he enlisted in the California National Guard at 17 after graduating high school at 15. He furthered his military education by undergoing a comprehensive two-year training program in electronic warfare at Camp Parks in Monterey County through Army Cyber Command.
Adding another testament to his service, Mavalwalla II embarked on a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, taking the lead of a signal intelligence team. His father, sharing insights on his son’s experiences, commented that his son had witnessed more action in his 11-month deployment than he had in his 26-year service, which included two Afghanistan tours and a special forces unit deployment in Iraq.
Mavalwalla II’s distinguished military service came as a part of the Army Rangers’ 3rd Infantry Division. Intriguingly, when he enlisted, his father served as his trainer in electronic warfare operations. After the US military departure from Afghanistan in 2020, the younger Mavalwalla took up an admirable mission—raising over $150,000 to rescue Afghans he had known personally during his deployment, whose safety became compromised after the withdrawal.
Baji’s efforts led to the evacuation of more than 30 people, arranging necessary documents, healthcare, and travel support. ‘Mavalwalla II saved their lives,’ the senior Mavalwalla declared, expressing difficulty in reconciling this selfless act with the ensuing events. Bajun Mavalwalla further shared the ironic situation he found himself in, receiving weekly pleas from people in Afghanistan seeking his help, but he could only caution them on the perceived safety risks in America.
A deep-seated tradition of nonviolent protest had equally featured in the Mavalwallas’ familial narrative, as shared by Bajun Mavalwalla I. He revealed that their family lawyer in Durban was godfathered by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the legendary peaceful protestist and primary force behind India’s independence. The family even has a fragment of Gandhi’s funeral shroud, an emblem of the legacy of peace Baji has been raised with.
The familial legacy extended to the pride derived from their immigrant history. ‘My father sailed from India at 19, battling hardships across the Arabian Sea to Kuwait until he was near death. An American family sponsored his move to the U.S. No one could have been a prouder American than my father,’ Bajun Mavalwalla I shared, highlighting the family’s deep respect and belief in the liberties of this nation.
However, their tranquility was abruptly shattered by the ‘knock, knock, knock’ on the door when law enforcement arrived to arrest Mavalwalla II. As described by the senior Mavalwalla, his son was scheduled to sign the paperwork for a new house that morning. They were even prepared to move furniture with the father’s truck and trailer parked outside. Yet, the morning of anticipation turned into a day of shock as Mavalwalla II was taken in for booking.
In the aftermath of the arrest, several prominent figures within the Spokane community vocalized their support for the defendants. Strongly criticizing the event as politically motivated, a common sentiment was that the former administration’s policies were infringing upon the U.S. Constitution and spreading fear throughout the community.
To assist Mavalwalla II’s legal struggle, his sister initiated a fundraising campaign that has, as per the latest update, already accumulated approximately $11,500. His father couldn’t help but praise his son’s bravery and commitment to human rights. ‘I do not use the term ‘hero’ lightly. After 26 years of military service, I believe I was simply performing my duty. My son stood up for the rights and freedoms this country stands for, and this is definitely heroic,’ said the senior Mavalwalla.
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