Trial Begins for Cornel West and Other NY Protesters

Professor Cornel West and almost two dozen other demonstrators arrested last year while protesting the New York City Police Department’s “stop and frisk” policy have gone on trial.

West and more than 20 activists who were arrested in October in front of a Harlem police station appeared in court today. According to the Associated Press, two accepted offers to get their cases dismissed by staying out of trouble for six months.

The group is one of the largest political protest arrest groups to go on trial together in New York city in recent years. The group allegedly blocked the entrance to the Harlem police station precinct and refused to leave.

According to the Associated Press, defense lawyers have argued there is reasonable doubt that any laws were broken. The judge barred the group today from arguing that the protesters’ conduct was justified.