In People v. Alderson (144 Misc. 2d 133 [Crim Ct, NY County 1989]), AIDS protestors entered and remained in the office of the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health in a loud and disruptive protest. There, the court made a distinction between public space and the Commissioner's private office within a public building. The court found the protest to be unprotected speech after the protestors were asked to leave. The court stated, "Civil disobedience has a well-recognized place in the history of our country and the world, but those who engage in such actions must understand that unless the law they violate is unconstitutional they will bear the consequence of their actions" (Alderson, supra, at 147-148).