A New York judge found Brad Lander not guilty Thursday of misdemeanor charges stemming from his attempt to inspect conditions at an immigration detention facility in Manhattan last September.
The one-day bench trial concluded with the verdict that Lander and dozens of others, including nearly a dozen elected officials, had committed no crime when they entered 26 Federal Plaza downtown to assess living conditions for immigrants held there. A federal judge had previously ordered the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve conditions at the facility.
Lander rejected a plea deal and chose to take the case to trial. At a news conference before Wednesday's proceedings, he framed the moment as part of a broader movement.
"It is important to keep standing up and fighting back," he said. "That's what tens of thousands of people around the country are doing today." He added, "What's most important is that we keep showing up and bearing witness."
The verdict marks the second legal entanglement Lander has faced related to immigration detention advocacy. In June of last year, he was arrested at a federal courthouse in the city on charges of assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer. Lander denied the assault allegations at that time, saying he was present to advocate for detainees.
Lander announced his acquittal on social media, celebrating what he called a win against opposition to his activism. The former New York City comptroller is currently running for the House of Representatives seat representing New York's 10th congressional district, after his unsuccessful mayoral campaign last year.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The acquittal removes a legal headache from Lander's congressional bid, but his detention center activism will define how voters in his district view his priorities."
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