In a significant legal victory, Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for Congress, was acquitted of charges stemming from an incident during a protest at a New York City immigration court building. The acquittal was announced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo, who presided over the trial in Manhattan.
Judge Ricardo’s verdict came after a detailed examination of the events surrounding Lander’s arrest last September. “I find the defendant not guilty,” he declared, following an extensive analysis of the evidence and testimonies, including Lander’s own account. The courtroom moment was emotional, with Lander embracing his legal team shortly after the judgment.
Addressing reporters outside the courthouse, Lander, who is currently vying against U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary, expressed his appreciation for the judicial process. He remarked on the privilege of living in a nation where one can contest government charges and win, saying, “I feel genuinely moved by the rule of law.”
Lander took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by immigrants in similar situations, advocating for equal access to quality legal representation and fair treatment in court.
The prosecution had argued that Lander was guilty of obstructing an elevator at 26 Federal Plaza for 20 to 25 minutes on September 18, 2025. However, Judge Ricardo noted the government’s failure to establish that Lander intentionally blocked the elevator or resisted law enforcement directives, which were reportedly inconsistent.
When approached for comments, the prosecution’s spokesperson declined to provide any statements.
During the trial, Lander defended himself by asserting that he never aimed to hinder elevator movement within the building, which hosts 40 federal agencies, including the FBI. He mentioned that no instructions to vacate the elevator area were given before his arrest.
Lander had previously dismissed a plea deal that could have led to the obstruction charges being dropped in six months. Notably, this was not his first encounter with legal issues at immigration protests. In an earlier incident in June 2025, Lander was arrested at an immigration court in Manhattan for linking arms with a detainee, although this did not result in charges.
For more details on this case, visit AP News and related articles about Lander’s political endeavors here, and his mayoral campaign here.
