More than two dozen people were arrested at a protest against unmanned drones
/ photo by Caitlin Nuclo
DEWITT -- A DeWitt town judge has found more than two dozen protestors guilty of disorderly conduct.
The group called themselves the Hancock 38, although 31 people were on trial. They were arrested in April while protesting against the use of unmanned drones at Hancock Air Base. The disorderly conduct charge comes from blocking the entrance to the base.
Judge David Gideon delivered the lengthy decision to a packed courtroom Thursday evening. A demonstration supporting the defendants was held before court opened.
Assistant District Attorney Fred McRoberts has requested a sentence of 15 days at Jamesville Correctional Facility, which would be the maximum for this violation. The judge sentenced the protesters individually. Most were given community service. One organizer received three days in jail.
Watch a video from court, courteous Syracuse Peace Council.
