Nine Texas protesters were sentenced to lengthy prison terms of 50 to 100 years after being convicted of terrorism-related charges linked to a 4 July protest at an immigration detention facility.

Prosecutors said the group vandalized property during the demonstration and that one activist shot and wounded a police officer, though he survived.

The harsh sentences were widely criticized as excessive, with legal experts noting that consecutive sentencing made the penalties far longer than typical cases involving similar conduct.

Supporters of the convictions, including Trump administration officials, praised the rulings as a strong response to violence against law enforcement and federal facilities, The Guardian has reported.

Defendants and their families argue the case involved unfair “guilt by association,” while appeals are expected as debate continues over whether the protest constituted terrorism or political dissent.