DOCUMENT: Stupid, Crime

Give Peace A Chance, But Not In Our Mall

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Give Peace A Chance, But Not In Our Mall

A New York lawyer was arrested Monday night (3/3) and charged with trespassing at an Albany-area mall after he refused to remove a t-shirt with the slogan "Give Peace A Chance" that he had bought earlier that evening.

Stephen Downs was sitting with his son in the food court of the Crossgates Mall in upstate Guilderland when he was approached by two security guards who directed him to either remove the shirt or leave the mall. When Downs refused to comply, the rent-a-cops called the local cops, who hauled Downs away in handcuffs.

The 61-year-old attorney--who had purchased the offending shirt in the mall--was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled for a March 17 court appearance on the misdemeanor rap. Here is the criminal complaint filed against Downs, followed by reports from the Guilderland police. (4 pages)