Dr. Caroline Stern, 55, and George Hess, claimed they were
handcuffed and locked up for 23 hours after a late-night confrontation with
police a year ago that began when they started dancing to steel drum music
while waiting for their train.
"We were doing the Charleston," Stern told the New
York Post.
Stern said she and Hess were approached by two police
officers on the nearly empty Columbus Circle platform. The officers told the
couple they weren't allowed to carry on in such fashion in a subway station,
they said.
Things went from bad to worse when Stern was unable to
produce an identification card and Hess decided to record the incident on
video, the Post reported. "We brought out the camera, and that's when they
called backup," she said. "That's when eight ninja cops came from out
of nowhere."
Stern and Hess were charged with disorderly conduct and
resisting arrest; however, the charges were later dropped. The couple then went
to federal court and filed suit seeking unspecified damages.
"If you are surrounded by good musicians, it is going
to make you want to dance," Stern said. "The musician who is playing
is legal, but ... we're illegal?"