Charges Against Occupy Sarasota Activist Dropped

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) _ Prosecutors have dropped all charges against an Occupy Sarasota activist arrested for writing chalk slogans on the sidewalk in a city park.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune (http://bit.ly/HCnqBf ) reported Wednesday that various charges against activist Chris Young were dropped by the state attorney’s office.

The 40-year-old Young was arrested Feb. 25 in Five Points Park.

His arrest had focused local attention on police efforts in and around the downtown park where Occupy protesters and homeless people have congregated.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which called the arrest “over the top,” was representing Young for free.