Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, last week dropped most of the 46 cases against pro-Palestinian demonstrators charged in the April 30 siege of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University because prosecutors had little proof that the cases would stand up at trial.There was limited video footage of what took place inside the campus building, Doug Cohen, a spokesman for the district attorney, said in a statement. The protesters wore masks and covered security cameras, preventing prosecutors from identifying those who had barricaded the doors and smashed chairs, desks and windows during the 17-hour occupation.The district attorney announced the decision to drop 31 of the 46 cases during a court hearing on Thursday. Apart from trespassing, a misdemeanor, proving any other criminal charges would be “extremely difficult,” Mr. Cohen said.For similar reasons, prosecutors also dismissed charges against nine of the 22 students and staff members at City College who were arrested inside a campus building and charged with burglary during a protest that took place on the same night as the arrests at Hamilton Hall.
The police arrested all the protesters in the building. They know what they wore. If they wanted to, they could find out which people did what.
They don't want to.
And by saying this, they are giving a message: as long as you hide your face and destroy security cameras, the NYPD won't bother going after you.
It's only burglary, and destruction of property. No biggie as long as it is for "Palestine," am I right?
Who would have thought that when masking became required, it would end up being used to hide criminal activities? Actually, everyone who gave it two seconds of thought did.
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