An Ohio University student and member of Students for a Democratic Society, a New Left group known for protesting, was arrested following the G-20 Summit and plans to take her case to court, despite an option for community service.
Molly Shea, a senior studying environmental geography and former candidate for Student Senate president, said she didn't do anything wrong during a small rally on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Sept. 25. Shea is one of eight OU students charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.
I'm fighting this because I shouldn't have been arrested. I have the ability and privilege to fight this
whereas some people don't Shea said. The cops have essentially violated my civil rights and I'm letting them know that people won't stand for that.
Protesters arrested during the G-20 for minor offenses have been offered a deal to complete 50 hours of community service in exchange for having the charges dropped, said Mike Manko, a spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney.
Out of the 99 protesters who appeared for hearings on Wed. Oct. 20, 53 took the community service option, while only eight were held for court, Manko said.
Shea plans to bolster her defense with the fact that when the rally began, she was at a coffee shop three blocks away. She only came to the rally to regroup with other OU students to travel back to Athens.
I don't think they will find me guilty but I'm assuming a little faith in the justice system
she said.
Tim Sallinger, an OU senior studying journalism, attended his hearing Friday in Pittsburgh; but after spending eight hours in court, his case had no resolution.
My arresting officer was not there
so I have to return for another hearing in December. I'm definitely pleading not guilty then
Salinger said.
When watching others go before the court, Salinger said the sentencing for protesters has ranged from community service to fines in the hundreds of dollars.
It's all a crapshoot. We're all charged with the same things
had the same intentions
come from the same background and we're getting treated differently
he said.
1
