DA Drops Criminal Charges Against Activists

In a surprising move, the Bristol County District Attorney in Massachusetts on Monday dropped criminal charges against two environmental activists who used a lobster boat to block a shipment of coal to New England's largest coal-burning plant.

The defendants, Ken Ward and Jonathan O'Hara, were prepared to argue their actions were necessary because of the threat posed by climate change.

But district attorney Sam Sutter agreed with the defendants, calling climate change "one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced." He dropped the charges and reached a plea agreement.

Sutter joins Here & Now's Robin Young to discuss his decision.