Protesters See Great Victory In Dismissal Of Disorderly Conduct Charge
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Disorderly conduct charges were dismissed against all ten protesters arrested in March for disrupting a community meeting in Lawndale.
"We showed the true power in people," said one of the protesters.
The protesters had gone to the meeting to confront the Police Commissioner and District Attorney on the day it was announced no charges would be filed against police officers who fatally shot Brandon Tate-Brown during a traffic stop. Not only were they acquitted of disorderly conduct, they take credit for the release of the officers' names and video of the stop.
Tate-Brown's mother Tanya Dickerson says they deserve it.
"I'm here to support them," Dickerson said of the protesters. "It's not just for my son Brandon, it's for Black Lives Matter."
It was an unusual case because disorderly conduct charges are usually dropped after protests. The decision not to, in this case, seems to have invigorated the protesters. Their new target: the officers in the Tate-Brown case.
Dickerson expressed gratitude to the protesters in keeping pressure on the police during this time and the protesters themselves see their acquittal as a large victory.