Calling themselves the ‘Orr Four,’ the four gays and lesbians arrested during a same-sex marriage protest at Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office are expected in court June 25 at 13th and Michigan. They are charged with disorderly conduct.
The state’s attorney assigned to the case at first tried to petition against the activists having a public defender. Andy Thayer was first up, and he said he was strong in his protest, telling the judge he had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection earlier this year. After Thayer was granted a public defender, the others were as well.
The foursome plead not guilty and are demanding a jury trial. In addition to Thayer, those charged were Cathyann Joseph, Angela James and Gary Naham.
‘Andy accused the state’s attorney of presumptuousness because he never had met her before today,’ Naham said, noting there was no way she could know if Thayer was able to afford an attorney.