Framing Analysis
U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo acquitted Brad Lander of a federal misdemeanor charge of obstructing an elevator and federal law enforcement during a September protest at the Federal Plaza Immigration Court. Lander, then New York City comptroller and a Democratic candidate, was one of 11 elected officials arrested while protesting ICE detention practices. The acquittal followed a one-day bench trial after Lander rejected a plea deal.