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Flag-Burning RNC Protesters Arraigned
By: Michelle Faust | ideastream
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CLEVELAND, OHIO — Two of the protesters with the group that burned the American flag outside the Republican National Convention have been arraigned.
Dominique Knox and Joseph Scogin both face felony charges in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for allegedly assaulting police officers, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business.
The indictment alleges that police officers were injured in the course of the flag burning.
Civil Rights Attorney Terry Gilbert argued the videos of the incident show the men are innocent of the charges.
“There were no assaults by these individuals,” he said. “And we’re also convinced that the police overreacted and did not protect the demonstrators’ right to protest and burn the flag.”
Knox and Scogin pleaded not guilty Thursday.
A pretrial hearing is set for August 29.
Of the 24 people arrested during the convention, Knox and Scogin – members of the Revolution Club – were the only ones charged with felonies.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office would not comment on an ongoing case.