Steve Thurston (2021)
Molly Dunn, right, stands in front of Saratoga Springs City Hall earlier this summer during a BLM Saratoga rally.
Molly Dunn who was arrested for her alleged activity during a July 14 Black Lives Matter protest in Saratoga Springs appeared in court this morning to face charges of disorderly conduct, a violation, and unlawful imprisonment, a second-degree misdemeanor. It was her first hearing since her arraignment in September. The hearing lasted fewer than 10 minutes in front of Judge Francine R. Vero.
The judge held the hearing in the larger of two courtrooms instead of her normal hearing room to accommodate visitors and press. About a half dozen of Dunn's supporters viewed the proceedings.
The main purpose of the proceeding was to establish Ashlynn Savarese, an attorney with Luibrand Law Firm, LLC, of Latham, as Dunn’s counsel and to schedule motions and hearings. Dunn's next appearance is Nov. 18.
“I’m going to trial,” Dunn said after the hearing, meaning she does not plan to strike a plea deal. It was all she and her attorney would say on the topic.
Dunn was one of four people arrested on Sept. 7, nearly two months after the protest that stopped traffic on Broadway near Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs. Police at the time of the Sept. 7 arrests said they were executing warrants. A man in his car had called 911 to say he needed to get home and take heart medicine. Traffic was stopped for about 10 minutes.
Since then, some have questioned why the police waited until Sept 7 to arrest people and accused the police department of waiting until after the horse racing season and the summer tourist season was over. Police and other officials countered that they had taken time to investigate videos posted to social media and elsewhere and then made decisions about whom to arrest based on evidence of crimes. Blocking traffic is part of the unlawful imprisonment.
Dunn wore black pants and jacket to the hearing with a Tee-shirt that read “Darryl Mount.” It is a reference to the young man who died after being chased by Saratoga Springs police in 2013. BLM protestors have said they want a complete investigation into what happened.