Former WDBZ-AM talk show host Nate Livingston went on trial Wednesday on charges connected with the interruption of Oktoberfest opening ceremonies last fall.

        Mr. Livingston, 31, faces four misdemeanor counts stemming from the Sept. 15 incident when he walked onstage at Fountain Square downtown during Mayor Charlie Luken's comments.

Livingston

        He is charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass, disturbing a lawful meeting and prohibited use of Fountain Square. If convicted in Hamilton County Municipal Court on all charges, he could face up to five months in jail.

        City Prosecutor Terry Cosgrove said Mr. Livingston — who was arrested with James Hardy, also know as Minister Abdul Muhammad Ali — disobeyed police orders not to disrupt the annual event's opening.

        Kenneth Lawson, Mr. Livingston's attorney, told a jury of six women and two men that Mr. Livingston told police he was going to the stage to talk with the mayor.

        “They told him, "Do whatever you want,'” Mr. Lawson said. “I don't think they really believed he would go on stage.”

        Mr. Livingston and Mr. Hardy were attempting to picket Rock Bottom Brewery on Fountain Square. It and several other downtown restaurants closed during the 2000 Cincinnati Coors Light Festival and Ujima-Cincibration, events that attract thousands of African-Americans to Cincinnati.

        Cincinnati Police Sgt. Bruce Hoffbauer testified Wednesday afternoon that he told the men they could continue their protest, but without the bullhorn they had been using. It was disrupting the Oktoberfest ceremonies, he said.

        Mr. Hardy was charged with criminal trespassing and disrupting a lawful meeting, both misdemeanors. His case is pending; a trial date has not been scheduled.

        Mr. Livingston was fired from talk radio station WDBZ-AM (1230), the Buzz, on Friday. During his 10 months on the air at the station, Mr. Livingston was critical of city leaders, including Mr. Luken.

        The mayor is on a list of potential witnesses scheduled to testify, possibly as early as today.

        Mr. Livingston this week announced he will seek a seat on Cincinnati City Council.

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