Occupy protester arrested in Lafayette Park

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

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An Occupy Albany participant was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly setting up a permanent structure.

Bradley Russell, 39, of Albany, was arrested by state police around 3 p.m. in Lafayette Park, which is connected to Academy Park, where protesters have been camping in recent weeks. He was given a citation for trespassing.

Russell said he approached police about posting some signs in the park, which he claimed was approved. When he began setting up cardboard signs in a way that would create a structure for him to sleep in, however, he said police arrested him.

Before this incident, Russell had said he would challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statement that he would have anyone in Lafayette Park arrested after the curfew. Now, as protesters are testing the governor’s resolve tonight, Russell said he probably won’t be part of the mix because he is worried about a second arrest in one day.