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GOP convention Activist Acquitted 03/12/01 - By Michael Rubinkam - Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A prominent AIDS activist accused of leading destructive protests during last summer's Republican National Convention was acquitted Monday of the most serious charges against her. Jurors found Kate Sorensen innocent on charges of riot, risking a catastrophe and conspiracy. She was convicted of a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and promised to appeal. "In this trial, not one officer connected me to any criminal mischief. There is nothing that points to me doing anything (illegal)," Sorensen said outside court. The prosecution disagreed: "The jury ... sent a clear message that there is a big difference between exercising one's First Amendment rights and criminal activity," said Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman in the district attorney's office. The misdemeanor carries a maximum of five years in jail, but defense attorney Lawrence Krasner said Sorensen, 38, would likely receive probation at her sentencing May 2. Prosecutors alleged Sorensen, a member of the AIDS activist group ACT-UP, used her cellular telephone to direct 700 to 800 protesters on sometimes-destructive path through the center of Philadelphia on Aug. 1. Nearly 400 demonstrators were arrested after they blocked streets and brawled with police during the July 31-Aug. 3 convention. Fifteen police officers were injured and more than 20 city vehicles damaged. The arrests resulted in only about a dozen convictions. About 20 cases remain on the docket. |
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