Statue of Liberty climber spews anti-American chant outside court
The immigrant rights activist who ruined July 4 for tourists visiting the Statue of Liberty when she scaled the green lady and forced the icon’s evacuation, was in Manhattan federal on Friday pushing for a no-jail guarantee from a judge — and then promptly spewed an anti-American message outside court.
Therese “Patricia” Okoumou climbed onto Lady Liberty’s right foot, causing an emergency evacuation of the monument on one of the busiest days of the year.
The 44-year-old had to be saved by specially trained officers — who were in court on Friday. One of the US Park Police officers even shook Okoumou’s hand as she left the courtroom.
Her lawyer, Ron Kuby, asked a judge to determine ahead of trial if he will sentence Okoumou to jail time before she will take a plea deal — something federal judges must do in certain misdemeanor cases, Kuby argued.
“If I can receive an assurance from the court that my client would not go to jail,” Kuby said, his client would agree to a plea.
Manhattan federal magistrate Judge Gabriel Gorenstein said he wanted both sides to submit written motions on whether he should decide ahead of trial if he will sentence her to prison time.
Outside court, Kuby said Okoumou’s “non-violent civil disobedience…should not be penalized with a jail sentence. That should be rewarded.”
Okoumou wore a green dress with the words, “I really care, why won’t u?” written on it – an apparent reference to the “I really don’t care, do u?” jacket worn by Melania Trump.
Outside court dozens of supporters cheered on the Republic of Congo born woman – who is a naturalized citizen — and she chanted to the crowd, “America you mother f–kers! You drug addicts! You KKK! You fascist USA.”
She faces a year and a half in prison for trespassing, interference with a government agency and disorderly conduct.
Okoumou is due back in court on Oct. 1.
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