Arrested for wearing “peace” t-shirt
Stephen Downs, a lawyer, was arrested for wearing a t-shirt with the text “give peace a chance” and refusing to leave the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, New York. According to Downs, he had just purchased the t-shirt right outside the mall.
Security guards had first ordered him to take off the t-shirt or leave the mall. When he refused, they called the police. Police officers argued that a mall was like a private house. When he still refused to take off his t-shirt or leave, he was taken away in handcuffs.
Downs is due in court on March 17 and risks a year in prison if convicted.