Alleged Black Bloc member pleads not guilty to mob action
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE June 19, 2012 4:26PM
Alex Cerajewski / photo from Chicago Police
Updated: June 19, 2012 6:17PM
An anti-NATO protester accused of mob action after throwing two Gatorade bottles at police pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Alex Cerajewski, 20, of Porter, Ind., was arrested about 10:40 p.m. on May 20 in the 100 block of South State and later charged with one count of felony mob action, police said.
Cerajewski is accused of hurling the Gatorade bottles at police and urging “Black Bloc” anarchists to blend in with other protesters, prosecutors said.
On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty before Judge Colleen Sheehan, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Andy Conklin. Cerajeski is currently free after posting 10 percent of a $50,000 bond, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s office.
During the protest, Cerajewski, dressed head to toe in black, urged Black Bloc members to infiltrate the larger masses of protesters near the Art Institute of Chicago, according to police.
After throwing bottles at officers stationed in front of the museum, he took off his black garments and walked away, before being arrested a few blocks away, prosecutors said.
