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Student found guilty in police assault that rallied Occupy activists

People protesting the economic system walk down a sidewalk in the financial district as office workers head to work on September 19, 2011 in New York City. Organizers said the protests, which began Saturday, could last for weeks. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images)

NEW YORK – An Occupy Wall Street activist convicted of assaulting a police officer has been sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Cecily McMillan, who insisted she was innocent, had faced as much as seven years in prison.

READ MORE: 11 iconic images of protest

McMillan apologized in court Monday for injuring the officer but said it was an accident.

The felony trial of the 25-year-old graduate student became a rallying point for activists. The courtroom was packed with about 50 of her supporters. Scores more could not get in.

McMillan was charged with deliberately elbowing an officer in the eye in March 2012. While more than 2,600 cases ensued from the protests over economic inequality, most involved misdemeanour or violation charges.

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