Thirteen Occupy New Haven protesters who were arrested as police moved them from their camp on the New Haven Green last week have been ordered to do community service.
All 13 were charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer and reluctantly pleaded guilty to lesser charges in Superior Court judge on Friday.
At first, the judge ordered the protesters to pay a fine, but that was met with resistance and the protesters were ordered to do five hours of community service.
"At first they wanted us to pay $50 and I believe that it's just a scam. Trump up charges on people, make them pay money, so they can get on with their lives," Donald Montano, of Occupy New Haven, said.
"My line was, I'm not going to pay anything, so community service I already do. I work at a soup kitchen," Ray Neal, of Occupy New Haven, said. "I've already been doing it, so I'm happy with that."
Some of the protesters said they were wrongfully arrested.
Police say they were just following court orders and doing their jobs.
Moving forward, the protesters said the Occupy movement was not dead.
"We're going to be rising again," Montano said. "May 1st, general strike. No work, no school, no shopping."
