2 RNC Flag Burning Protesters Arraigned

Two of the protesters with the group that burned the American flag outside the Republican National Convention were arraigned Thursday.

Dominique Knox and Joseph Scogin both face felony charges in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for allegedly assaulting police officers, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business.

Civil Rights Attorney Terry Gilbert says videos of the incident show the men are innocent of the charges. They pleaded not-guilty in court.

“There were no assaults by these individuals. And we’re also convinced that the police overreacted and did not protect the demonstrators’ right to protest and burn the flag,” says Gilbert.

The indictment alleges that police officers were injured in the course of the flag burning.  A pretrial hearing is set for August 29. Knox and Scogin posted $2,500 each in bond.

Of the 24 people arrested during the convention, Knox and Scogin – members of the Revolution Club – were the only ones charged with felonies.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office would not comment on an ongoing case.

Before the arraignment, Gregory Lee "Joey" Johnson led a demonstration in front of the Justice Center before the arraignment.

"This is very serious. They're facing years in prison. They were indicted by a grand jury here in Cleveland,” says Johnson.

Johnson is known for burning a flag at the 1984 RNC which led to a U-S Supreme Court decision that classified flag burning as protected speech.