Congressional Candidate Cleared of Charges From ICE Protest

WHO:

ABC News - Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional candidate and former city comptroller.

NBC News - Lander is a close political ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Gothamist - Lander is challenging Rep. Dan Goldman to represent Lower Manhattan in Congress.

WHAT:

The Guardian - Lander shed a tear after the judge found him not guilty of a low-level charge of "unreasonably" blocking an elevator during the protest.

The Guardian - The judge, Henry Ricardo, stated that Lander's testimony about his chanting was "self-serving" but found it "credible."

The Guardian - Lander's acquittal came after a one-day trial where the judge noted that prosecutors needed to show Lander intended to block the area, which he did not believe they proved.

The Guardian - Lander was acquitted of a misdemeanor obstruction charge after a one-day trial.

The Guardian - The judge stated that Lander "looked low-energy" and "seemed tired and a bit resigned to the situation" during the trial.

The Guardian - Lander testified that his chanting of "we shall not move" was intended as a reference to a civil rights anthem, not as an attempt to obstruct.

The Guardian - Lander expressed that "What we meant was: we shall not be moved from our commitment to civil rights and the rule of law" after the verdict.

The Guardian - Lander was found not guilty of blocking an elevator during his attempt to inspect rooms holding detained immigrants.

The Guardian - The magistrate judge, Henry Ricardo, stated that Lander "looked low-energy" and "seemed tired and a bit resigned to the situation" when he sat in front of the lift.

The Guardian - Lander and 10 other politicians were arrested on 18 September 2025 during the protest.

The Guardian - Lander testified that when he chanted "we shall not move," he was singing a civil rights anthem and not attempting to impede.

ABC News - A federal magistrate judge acquitted Brad Lander on a misdemeanor obstruction charge.

NBC News - Lander was found not guilty of misdemeanor charges related to a September inspection attempt at an immigration holding facility in Manhattan.

NBC News - Lander expressed feeling "genuinely moved today by the rule of law" following the ruling.

WHERE:

ABC News - The protest occurred at a New York City federal building.

NBC News - The incident took place at an immigration holding facility in Manhattan.

WHEN:

ABC News - The protest occurred last September.

Gothamist - Lander faced a day-long trial less than a week before the start of early voting.

WHY:

NBC News - The charges stemmed from Lander's involvement in a protest at the immigration detention center.

HOW:

The Guardian - A Federal Protective Service officer informed the politicians that they could stay as long as they chose but needed to stop banging on the doors.

The Guardian - The judge noted that Lander and his colleagues complied with orders to stop banging on doors after being denied entry.

NBC News - The judge's ruling was based on thoughtful consideration during the trial.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 01:44 UTC)

Lander was found not guilty of a low-level charge related to blocking an elevator during a protest, shedding a tear in response to the judge's decision. Judge Henry Ricardo described Lander's testimony about his chanting as "self-serving" but ultimately deemed it "credible," noting that the prosecution failed to prove Lander's intent to obstruct the area. Meanwhile, a Federal Protective Service officer advised the politicians present that they could remain as long as they stopped banging on the doors.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 23:24 UTC)

Lander has been acquitted of a misdemeanor obstruction charge following a one-day trial, where the judge remarked that he appeared "low-energy" and "a bit resigned" during the proceedings. Lander testified that his chant of "we shall not move" was meant to reference a civil rights anthem rather than an obstruction attempt, and after the verdict, he emphasized that it signified their unwavering commitment to civil rights and the rule of law. The judge also acknowledged that Lander and his colleagues complied with orders to cease banging on doors after being denied entry.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 19:50 UTC)

Lander has been found not guilty of blocking an elevator while trying to inspect rooms holding detained immigrants, according to a ruling by magistrate judge Henry Ricardo. During the trial, the judge observed that Lander appeared low-energy and resigned as he sat in front of the lift, but noted that he and his colleagues complied with orders to stop banging on doors after being denied entry. Lander testified that his chant of "we shall not move" was meant as a civil rights anthem, rather than an attempt to impede access.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 18:05 UTC)

Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional candidate and former city comptroller, has been acquitted on a misdemeanor obstruction charge related to a protest at an immigration holding facility in Manhattan. The federal magistrate judge found him not guilty of the charges stemming from the incident, and Lander expressed that he felt "genuinely moved today by the rule of law" following the ruling. Lander, who is a close political ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is currently challenging Rep. Dan Goldman for the opportunity to represent Lower Manhattan in Congress.