Judge orders release of 470 anti-Bush protesters

[Nomad559]

Judge orders release of 470 anti-Bush protesters


-Snip-

A judge ordered the immediate release of nearly 500 protesters just hours before President George W. Bush's speech at the Republican convention, then fined New York City for refusing to comply with his order.

State Supreme Court Justice John Cataldo fined the city $1,000 for every protester held past a 5 p.m. EDT deadline he had set for their release. It was unclear how many detainees were still in custody but Cataldo ordered the release of 470 people.

"These people have already been the victims of a process," Cataldo told the city's top lawyer.

"I can no longer accept your statement that you are trying to comply."

There were accusations the city was deliberately holding the protesters longer so they would not be in the streets during Bush's speech Thursday evening. Police have been preparing for heavy protests in the city directed at Bush and hundreds of demonstrators were already gathered at Union Square Park, about 15 blocks south of the convention site, Madison Square Garden.

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