ALBANY, NY – A 34-year-old woman, who is reportedly the co-founder of a Black Lives Matter chapter out of New York, was arrested earlier in June at an Albany courthouse after hundreds of cockroaches were released inside of courtroom during an arraignment that had attracted local activists in support of those being arraigned.
The incident occurred on June 7th at the Albany City Court, where four people, including 34-year-old Clyanna Lightbourn, were being arraigned for charges relating to unlawful activity while protesting state rental issues in May at the state capitol, which eventually resulted in protests breaking out inside of the actual courtroom.
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As things started to get out of hand, Lightbourn reportedly began filming the commotion inside of the courtroom. Court officers reportedly confiscated Lightbourn’s phone, which she allegedly tried to take back from the court officers, thus resulting in her arrest.
Lightbourn was reportedly charged with obstruction of governmental administration, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to Albany Police.
However, the biggest disruption to the courtroom wasn’t the filming, but rather the smuggled cockroaches that were unleashed inside of the courtroom. Authorities are certain as to who was responsible for releasing the pests, but the hundreds of roaches resulted in the courthouse being temporarily closed down so that exterminators could deal with the insects.
Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration, issued a statement condemning the acts that broke out inside of the New York courthouse, noting that restitution will be sought for the costs associated with fumigating the courtroom.
“What transpired is not advocacy or activism, it is criminal behavior with the intent to disrupt a proceeding and cause damage… Taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for these actions.”
The Albany County District Attorney’s Office issued a similar statement decrying the actions that played out inside of the courthouse earlier in June, stating, “While the incident remains under investigation, the Office of the District Attorney would like to emphasize that while the right to protest is protected, we oppose the disruption of court proceedings and the apparent display of disrespect shown to the court.”
Outside of being arrested in connection to the stunt pulled at the Albany courthouse, apparently, Lightbourn was also fired from her job once news of her arrest broke.
Lightbourn had worked for the New York Senate Democratic Conference Services Office as a regional coordinator, but a state Senate spokesperson confirmed she was terminated in light of her most recent arrest.
The activist who can’t seem to avoid legal troubles is slated to return to court for her new charges on July 5th. Officials say that more people are likely to be charged in the future regarding the courtroom roach debacle.
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Pro-BLM Activist Arrested After Hundreds Of Roaches Unleashed Inside New York Courthouse
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