Key facts
- Congressional candidate Brad Lander is facing a misdemeanor charge after his arrest at a federal building.
- Lander testified in his own defense during a one-day trial in Manhattan federal court.
- The charge stems from a protest last summer outside an immigration holding facility.
- A judge will rule Thursday on whether Lander is guilty of blocking an elevator.
- Prosecutors stated they will not seek jail time if Lander is convicted.
Congressional candidate Brad Lander testified in his defense Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, seeking to avoid conviction on a misdemeanor charge lodged after his arrest last summer. Lander was detained outside an immigration holding facility in New York City while protesting with other elected officials.
Lander, formerly the city's comptroller and an ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, testified that he did not attempt to block an elevator on the 10th floor of the federal building, which houses numerous federal agencies including the FBI. He stated that he was not told to move or that he was obstructing the elevator during the protest, where he sat in a circle with other politicians.
A prosecutor argued that Lander was guilty because he was positioned in front of an elevator that remained closed during the 20 to 25 minutes he was seated. Prosecutors have indicated they will not pursue jail time if Lander is convicted. A magistrate judge heard the one-day trial and is expected to rule Thursday morning.
Lander is currently challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman for a congressional seat representing lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. He was arrested with 10 other lawmakers at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses an immigration court, after they attempted to inspect detention rooms. Lander previously rejected a deal that would have dismissed the charge in exchange for a six-month ban on protesting in federal buildings.