Dive Summary:

• Municipal Judge T. Francis Shields acquitted 16 education advocates Thursday who were arrested in March during a rowdy protest after they allegedly blocked auditorium doorways at the school district’s headquarters.
• Shields granted the acquittal after hearing attorney arguments and police Lt. Joseph O’Brien’s testimony, saying that while the protesters had gone too far, O’Brien hadn’t identified any of the 16 as the people who blocked the doors.
• American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten was also arrested during the March 7 protest at a School Reform Commission meeting where a vote was expected to close 23 schools, but she wasn’t among the defendants on trial.

From the article:

… “We’re thrilled. Justice for these defendants and justice for Philadelphia schools,” said defense attorney Lawrence Krasner. …