Free the People Roc, Public Defender’s Office hold panel on protesters’ rights

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — What are your rights, and how do you exercise them during a protest?

That was the topic discussed by members of Free the People Roc, the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office and state and federal attorneys Thursday night.

The panel talked about the arrests of people gathering after the lawyers meeting earlier on Thursday.

News10NBC saw police handcuff three people, including a 14-year-old girl.

The supporters say a total of five people were detained.

One question raised was, “Do you have to identify yourself when you’re being detained?”

"The downside to the 14-year-old or the 35-year-old in not providing their identifying information would be the encounter with police would be prolonged,” Assistant Public Defender Erik Teifke said. “The police are going to hang on to that person longer."

He went on to explain that they were asked because police want to identify who it is they’re detaining.

News10NBC asked the Rochester Police Department why the three people were arrested, and what they are charged with.

An RPD spokesperson said when she has that information, she will share it with us.