SIMI VALLEY : Picketer Arrested Inside Courthouse

A graphic artist was arrested inside the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley on Monday when he refused to end a one-man demonstration over the Rodney King case, authorities said.

Christopher McGrath of Simi Valley was arrested as he sat on the floor of the courthouse lobby holding a picket sign, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Freeman.

Security officers advised McGrath that it is a misdemeanor to picket inside a courthouse with the intent of influencing court officers, Freeman said. McGrath, 39, was still there 20 minutes later and was arrested, he said.

Freeman described McGrath as “100% cooperative and polite,” and said he “just wanted to go to jail for his cause.” He was booked and released on his promise to appear in court June 15.

In an interview, McGrath said he conducted the solitary sit-in to lobby prosecutors to pursue charges against Los Angeles Police Department Officer Laurence M. Powell. A jury deadlocked on a charge of excessive force in the trial of Powell over the beating of King.

Last year, McGrath founded a political group that he named the Rock And Roll Party and said he hopes to qualify the party on the ballot in every state.