Charges Against Fur Protesters Reduced to Misdemeanors

Felony charges against anti-fur protesters arrested Sunday at a Los Angeles department store were reduced to misdemeanors Tuesday because the suspects had no criminal records and the arrest circumstances did not warrant felony prosecution, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office said.

Suspects and their lawyers were outraged by the original charges of felony burglary and conspiracy to commit trespass.

They insisted that peaceful protests were allowed within the Constitution and did not warrant more than misdemeanor charges.

District attorney’s office spokeswoman Elka Worner said she could not comment on how uncommon it is for protesters to be charged with felonies.

On Sunday, the 17 demonstrators chained themselves together in the Bullock’s store in Beverly Center and refused to leave, chanting anti-fur slogans and obstructing doorways.

On Tuesday morning, 16 of the 17 demonstrators remained in jail, continuing to stage a hunger strike and refusing to post $15,000 bail.

One suspect, Elizabeth Wilson, 65, paid bail Monday and was released. She awaits arraignment early next month.

The 16 were arraigned Tuesday afternoon on four misdemeanor counts each of conspiracy, trespassing, obstructing business operations and interfering with a peace officer, city attorney’s spokesman Mike Qualls said.