Rep. Katherine Clark’s transgender daughter Riley Dowell sentenced for assault on Boston cop

The daughter of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark – the second highest ranking Democrat in the lower chamber –  was sentenced to one year of probation Wednesday for her role in a violent protest in Boston earlier this year.

Riley Dowell, 23, was arrested by police in January after allegedly spray-painting a monument in the historic Boston Common with anti-police slogans “NO COP CITY” and “ACAB” — an acronym for “all cops are bastards.” 

During her arrest, Dowell allegedly struck a police officer in the face, leading to an assault and battery on a police officer charge, on top of charges of vandalizing property, tagging property, vandalizing a historic marker/monument, and resisting arrest. 

The Democratic whip’s daughter struck a deal with prosecutors that will result in the dismissal of her case after writing a letter of apology to Officer Daniel Roca, who suffered a bloody nose during the Jan. 21 incident, completing 30 hours of community service within a year and re-paying the city for the cost of removing her graffiti, the Boston Globe reported on Wednesday. 

Dowell has already written the apology note, according to the outlet. 

Boston Municipal Court Judge Steven Key also ordered Dowell to continue undergoing therapy, complete a community-based program, and stay away from the site of the anti-police protest. 

After her arrest, Dowell, who is transgender, was initially identified in police reports by her birth name, Jared Dowell.

Clark acknowledged Dowell’s arrest in a statement released in January.

“I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting,” Clark said. “This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.”

The Democratic congresswoman also brought up Dowell on the House floor in March on International Trans Day of Visibility. 

“Ahead of Trans Day of Visibility, I rise in honor of a community that is being forced to fight for its very existence. I rise in honor of trans voices that deserve to be heard – not silenced and not criminalized. I rise in honor of trans joy that deserves to be celebrated – not eradicated,” Clark said.

“I rise with unconditional love for my trans daughter, Riley. And I rise in solidarity with every trans American seeking nothing less than their inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.”