THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

 

OFFICE OF THE HON. YDANIS RODRIGUEZ

  

CITY HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10007

(212) 788-7053

 ***Press Advisory***

May 11th, 2014

 

Contact: Russell Murphy - (917) 584-9574 - Russmurphy55@gmail.com

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ACTIVISTS CALL FOR "JUSTICE FOR CECILY," ECHOING CALL FOR LENIENCY BY JURY IN OCCUPY WALL STREET CASE

 

Ms. McMillan Faces Up to 7 Years in Jail, Electeds and Advocates Call for Leniency and Sentence of Community Service for Young Protester

 

New York, NY-On Monday, May 12th, 2014, advocates and New York City elected officials will hold a rally calling for justice in the case of Cecily McMillan, a 25 year old protester arrested during the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011-12. On March 17th, 2012, Ms. McMillan took part in a 6th month celebration marking half a year since the start of the Occupy Wall Street protests. When police moved in to clear out the park, Ms. McMillian alleges that her breasts were grabbed from behind in what she believed to be an act of sexual assault. In a reflexive action, she swung her elbow back and connected with a police officer officer. She was then allegedly beaten and subsequently arrested.

 

Ms. McMillan one of very few protesters to be convicted of a crime, as many of the others had their charges dropped entirely. She currently faces up to 7 years in jail for her actions--yet 9 of the 12 jury members in her case have written a letter to the presiding judge requesting leniency and a sentence of community service rather than jail time. On Monday, this call will be echoed by city leaders and activists, who share the belief that such a sentence fits the crime much more appropriately than a prolonged jail sentence.

 

McMillan has received support from members of the Russian punk rock group, Pussy Riot, who were jailed for over a year in Russia for their protesting of President Vladimir Putin. She has also received support from filmmaker Michael Moore as well as a number of other notable figures.

 

What: NYC Elected Officials Call for Justice for Cecily, Echoing her Juror's Call of Leniency and No Jail Time

 

Who: Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr., Justice for Cecily Coalition

 

When: Monday, May 12th, 2014, 12 Noon.

 

Where: Steps of City Hall, Manhattan, NY

 

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