On February 7, 2023 Saratoga BLM’s co-founder Chandler Hickenbottom came up to the Saratoga Springs City Council meeting to make a public comment. In light of the recent murder of Tyre Nichols, she came to the meeting to ask the council what they were doing for the Black Saratogians who voted for them, and questioned where the progress of the promises they made for racial justice during their campaigns. Ultimately the meeting had to be adjourned and rescheduled after a back-and-fourth due to racist remarks from the Commissioner of Public Safety.

Two weeks later, the Commissioner filed a criminal complaint against Chandler, who is being charged with disorderly conduct.

On April 4th, co-founder Lexis Figuereo, who is also Chandler’s brother, took to the mic in defense of his sister when a current candidate for Mayor made comments that likened Chandler’s first amendment actions to an “insurrection”. Although the meeting was not adjourned, Lexis was charged with disorderly conduct, and an additional charge of obstructing governmental administration. This is consistent of previous attempts by the former council to seek additional charges against Lexis.

Organizers and activists quickly came together and organized a protest to take place during the May 2nd council meeting. That night, organizers, students, union leaders, clergy, and many more came together for #ThePeoplesMeeting in protest and to demand that the charges be dropped. As of May 21st, no charges have been filed against this majority-white crowd, meanwhile the charges remain against Lexis and Chandler as they prepare to head to trial this June.