NEW YORK — New York City's chief fiscal officer, Brad Lander, arrested two months ago during protests against the conditions at an immigration holding facility, has decided to go to trial on a misdemeanor obstruction charge rather than accept a plea deal that would have dismissed the case in six months.
I want a trial, Lander stated outside a federal courtroom in Manhattan, indicating his commitment to addressing the ongoing immigration issues under the Trump administration. He expressed that the trial could bring to light the actions of federal authorities involved in immigration enforcement.
In June, Lander was arrested at an immigration court after linking arms with a detained individual, a move that highlighted his activist stance in what typically is a more reserved political career.
Lander has been aligned with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and the two politicians supported each other during their campaigns. He is also rumored to be considering a run for Congress.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized Lander's actions, suggesting he was performing for media attention and endangering others. Despite some of his peers accepting a deferred prosecution deal, Lander expressed a desire to continue protesting and intends to revisit the facility this week.
His charge accuses him of obstructing access within the building, where officials sought to inspect the conditions of detainees in accordance with a court ruling.
Lander's decision to reject the plea deal comes with a possible 30-day jail sentence if convicted, highlighting his willingness to sacrifice personal comfort in pursuit of social justice.
