Capital News 9
April 10, 2006
http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=175211
Albany police arrested the leader of a clergy abuse victims' advocacy group for allegedly violating a court order restricting protests.
Mark Lyman was arrested near the Holy Cross church in Albany during Palm Sunday services.
By court order, protesters cannot come within 100 feet of the church, but police said Lyman overstepped that. Lyman is the local co-director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
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After posting bail, Lyman joined another protest outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Church leaders said the protestors are blind to their efforts, but Lyman's lawyer said the diocese is trying to shut his client up.
Mark Lyman was arrested during a Palm Sunday service, for violating a court order on protests. The order states that protesters can't come within 100 feet of the church, but police said Lyman overstepped that.
"This charge will not stand, the Albany police have made a dreadful mistake, the Albany diocese continues to try to silence victims, but all they do is they keep angering victims," said attorney John Aretakis.
"I think that we have been doing everything possible to ensure the protection of children. And either the protestors are unaware of those efforts or have chosen to ignore them," said Bishop Howard Hubbard, of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese.
Lyman is charged with a misdemeanor and is due in Albany City Court Monday morning.
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