The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded Rochester City Court Judge Teresa Johnson’s decision to dismiss charges against 28 Occupy Rochester demonstrators who were arrested while peacefully protesting in Washington Square Park.
“The First Amendment prevailed today in City Court,” said KaeLyn Rich, director of the NYCLU’s Genesee County Chapter. “We’ve argued that the mass arrest of peaceful protestors was unjustified, and the judge’s rulings validate that point. We will continue working with the city to ensure that Washington Square Park remains a center of peaceful protest in Rochester.”
The protesters had faced charges of trespassing and violating a city ordinance setting park hours. Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley had refused requests to dismiss the charges. The NYCLU served as co-counsel for one of the protesters.
In November, the NYCLU brokered an agreement between the City of Rochester and Occupy Rochester protestors to allow the demonstrators to camp in Washington Square Park. That agreement provides a model for cities across the state and nation to accommodate Occupy Wall Street protests.
