Several New York City Council members are calling for leniency in the sentencing of Occupy Wall Street activist Cecily McMillan following her conviction of assaulting a police officer. McMillan says she struck out instinctively when her breast was grabbed from behind. She faces up to seven years in prison at her sentencing next week. On Monday, Council Member Laurie Cumbo was among five council members to voice support for McMillan. She was joined by Yetta Kurland of the National Lawyers Guild.

Laurie Cumbo: “This a time where we have to make sure that our women are treated with dignity, with respect. We have to make sure that all law enforcement respect women, respect all individuals. But we can’t any longer continue to have our women attacked in ways that are dangerous, that are harmful, that are unconstitutional.”

Yetta Kurland: “Recently, somebody died in Rikers because of the conditions. We’re not able to talk directly with Cecily right now, but our thoughts are with her. And you saw a large group of people coming out today to give support and to ask the judge for leniency in the sentencing that’s upcoming.”

McMillan will be sentenced on Monday. Nine of the 12 jurors who convicted her have written to the judge asking for leniency.