By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent

Updated: 02/14/2011 02:05:08 PM PST

LOS ANGELES—Protesters marched outside downtown courts Monday demanding the city attorney dismiss charges against people who were arrested for demonstrating on immigration law issues.
Carrying signs that read, "Don't Criminalize Dissent," dozens of protesters compared themselves to Egyptians seeking justice and said City Attorney Carmen Trutanich was trying to stifle free speech.

Some of the 24 people arrested last year spoke out Monday for their right to protest Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants and to advocate for an immigration amnesty law. Dozens of supporters were on hand.

Hearings on the cases that had been scheduled Monday were postponed to March 8 and 9. Their lawyer, John Raphling, said he believes demonstrators were justified last year in lying down in the street and blocking traffic.

"We believe it's right and proper to block traffic to wake people up," he said.

Trutanich barred plea negotiations with those arrested and is seeking up to a year of jail time for them. He says they disrupted traffic and cost the city thousands of dollars in police time.

Trutanich said he wants to discourage those who stage illegal protests.

The group outside the courthouse Monday chanted in unison: "It is our moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
Raul Anorvia, one of those arrested, said, "I believe in human dignity. We must stop this criminalizing of undocumented workers. We must all become Egyptians." http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17385411