Four protesters will have to appear in Colorado Springs Municipal Court for violating the city's new sit-lie ban.
The Gazette reports that about 150 protesters gathered Saturday to oppose the Pedestrian Access Act, which took effect that day and bans sitting, lying, kneeling or reclining on streets or sidewalks in the downtown and Old Colorado City business districts during business hours.
The four demonstrators who were arrested volunteered for the citation and had coordinated with the police before the protest so they would be ticketed under the ban rather than an obstruction ordinance. The Coalition for Compassion and Action organized the event.
If convicted, the protesters could be fined up to $500 each.
Critics of the sit-lie ban say it criminalizes homeless people who don't have other options.
