Send a Letter to Judge Zweibel
As a part of our efforts to get Cecily out of jail, we are asking as many people possible to write letters to Judge Zweibel asking for leniency in sentencing, on the basis of Cecily’s character and the fact that she has suffered enough. If you could write a letter and encourage your friends and networks to write one as well, it would help us and Cecily a great deal. According to her lawyers, this is our greatest chance to save Cecily from significant jail time and is thus incredibly crucial.
The easiest way to send a letter is right here. The letter is customizable, so you can use our form letter as a guideline to create a more personalized message about why you believe Cecily deserves leniency in sentencing. You’re also welcome to email letters to zweibel@justiceforcecily.com.
For a sample letter and easy form, click here.
Update: City Council Members Call for Leniency
City Council members on Monday called for leniency for a convicted Occupy Wall Street activist who will soon be sentenced for elbowing a police officer.
Cecily McMillan, 25, was convicted May 5 of assaulting Police Officer Grantley Bovell during an Occupy Wall Street event in March 2012.
The conviction carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison, but the council members and her supporters called on Judge Ronald Zweibel to instead sentence her to probation on May 19.
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez reminded the audience that he too was arrested as part of Occupy Wall Street.
“As an elected official, I was accused of assaulting when I was arrested the day the police department cleaned Zuccotti Park,” Mr. Rodriguez said.
His charges were dismissed. His arrest, he said, sent “a message that if you join a protest, if you defend your rights, you will be charged with assaulting a police officer.”
Mr. Rodriguez said McMillan “should be allowed to do her time in community service.”
Council members Helen Rosenthal, Laurie Cumbo and Robert Cornegy joined Mr. Rodriguez. City Council Member Jumaane Williams sent a statement joining in the call for a lenient sentence.
Ms. McMillan’s supporters read a letter to Judge Zweibel they said was signed by nine members of the jury that convicted her. The letter asks the court for leniency. “We feel that the felony mark on Cecily’s record is punishment enough,” the jurors wrote.
Officer Bovell has said he was escorting Ms. McMillan out of Zuccotti Park after senior officers had announced the park was being closed for cleaning, when suddenly “she crouched down, she elbowed me in the face.” Officer Bovell suffered a cut cheek and a swollen eye.
Corrections and Amplifications: The charges lodged against City Council member Ydanis Rodriguez were dismissed. An earlier version of this story said Mr. Rodriguez was found not guilty.