Occupy protester in court after arrest

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A protester who was arrested in Lafayette Square late Wednesday night appeared in court Thursday morning.

The protester was released late Thursday morning. Some people are hoping her arrest will send a strong message to city officials and all of western New York.

  >>  Police evicted protesters and removed their belongings from  Lafayette Square

Buffalo State senior, 26-year-old Christina Cooke was the only person arrested in Wednesday night’s eviction of the Lafayette Square protesters and campsite.

“The reason why I was arrested was because I felt to disperse. The reason why I chose to get arrested was because I feel I have the right to assemble,” said Cooke.

Cooke was released on the condition that she agrees to stay out of Lafayette Square and out of trouble for six months.

“I’m definitely going to be vocal in protesting, but I’m not going to be camping,” said Cooke.

The original Occupy Buffalo protesters signed an agreement with the city to stay in Niagara Square. The city warned protesters to abandon Lafayette Square by Tuesday at 10 p.m. When that didn’t happen, police booted them out just before midnight on Wednesday.

City dump trucks ripped up tents and filled up trucks with protesters’ personal belongings.

Chris Phillips, Cooke’s boyfriend, who was also evicted from Lafayette Square says he hopes her arrest will strengthen the movement.

“I feel that many people are going to be very grateful for her sacrifice because she took a stand that more people need to be taking in Buffalo. Buffalo is not where it needs to be right now, we could be in a much more advantageous position with more jobs, more money, more happiness, less homelessness,” said Phillips.

Some Lafayette protesters tell News 4 they moved from Niagara Square because they felt their message wasn’t being heard there.