Manhattan DA Won't Prosecute Most Protest Arrests, He Says

MANHATTAN, NY —Protesters arrested during marches and demonstrations against police brutality in Manhattan won't face low-level criminal charges, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. announced Friday.

The district attorney's office won't pursue charges such as unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct, which are often brought against people who disobey police orders during protests. Before the new policy, the DA's office was issuing protesters with and order of "Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal," meaning their cases would be dismissed within six months.

"The prosecution of protestors charged with these low-level offenses undermines critical bonds between law enforcement and the communities we serve... Our office has a moral imperative to enact public policies which assure all New Yorkers that in our justice system and our society, black lives matter and police violence is a crime," Vance said Friday in a statement.

Vance's announcement comes eight days after widespread protesting began in New York City following the death of Minneapolis Man George Floyd, who died after a police officer pressed a knee into his neck for more than eight minutes. Hundreds of peaceful protesters have been arrested each night throughout the city since Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered police to enforce a curfew on Monday.

The "vast majority" of people charged with low-level offenses such as unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct are typically issued a desk appearance ticket after arrest, which means they are released from police custody and given a date for arraignment, a spokesperson for the Manhattan DA's office said. When prosecutors decline to pursue charges, there is no legal obligation to appear in court.

New York City's curfew was implemented after groups of looters broke into stores in SoHo and Midtown Manhattan while police were occupied with protests throughout the city. Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance is taking a very different approach when it comes to looters, recommending this week that Gov. Andrew Cuomo use emergency orders to bypass reformed bail laws in order to hold looters in detention.