Disorderly charge from long "camping" hearing will be fought

"None of that is disorderly, none of that's violative of any law. It's exactly how democracy works." —Ava Agree, attorney for Angela Kaufman

Angela “Diogenes” Kaufman, foreground left, and attorney Ava Agree speak to reporters on the steps of Saratoga Springs City Hall, July 29, 2025. (Photo: Steve Thurston)

The woman arrested during the public hearing on the city’s controversial “no camping” bill was arraigned on charges of disorderly conduct, and her lawyer says the defense will focus on the simple idea that she was invited to speak, and she spoke without disrupting others and without the intent to stop or delay the meeting.

[Read about the meeting and arrest here.]

Ava Agree, the attorney representing Angela Kaufman, who goes by Diogenes or Dio, said that Kaufman was recognized to speak by the city council, spoke about an issue of importance to the city, and did so at the appropriate time.

“So in terms of defense strategy, it's quite clear: None of that is disorderly, none of that's violative of any law. It's exactly how democracy works,” Agree said, adding later that this “is not a case where someone's alleged to have interrupted a public meeting. This is not a case of someone speaking out of turn. This is not a case of someone shutting down a public meeting. This is a case wherein someone was recognized by the mayor…And then