Most judges and police recognize that whatever else the protesters are, they are not criminals. However, in Philadelphia, a few of the protesters are being held on huge bails. The protesters are charging that the police targeted certain well-known activists and arrested them before they engaged in any kind of protest. The protesters argue that they were arrested not for what they did, but what they might do. If the police had reason to believe these leaders of the protests were organizing illegal demonstrations however, they were acting within their rights by arresting them.
Conspiracy is defined as agreeing to commit an illegal act.
It does not matter whether the illegal act is prompted by a desire to have things change in a positive matter, or by greed. After all, while some protesters may be charged with conspiracy, the crime they were conspiring to commit was, most of the time, a misdemeanor like failing to disperse or blocking traffic. Yes, the Philadelphia police have a duty to keep the city safe, but the protesters have a right to demonstrate. We're not talking about major disruptions here, merely some discomfort for the citizens who are trying to get home during rush hour. All Rights Reserved.