Charges dropped in Colibri protest

Charges have been dropped against 13 former employees, who were arrested during a protest outside the former Colibri plant in East Providence.

The ex-workers were charged with disorderly conduct for blocking the entrance of the bankrupt jewelry company back in March.  They were rallying against the company's plans to auction off its assets and pay-off its creditors.  The workers claimed the money should go to them, because they say nearly 300 people were laid-off, without notice.

On Wednesday, a judge agreed to drop the charges, after those arrested all completed five hours of community service.

Despite their arrests, the former Colibri employees tell us they plan to continue going after their ex-employer, which they believe owes laid-off workers compensation.

"The fight keeps going on," says seven-year Colibri employee David Correia. "We're still struggling, but we're still trying.  We're not giving up, we're going to hang in there.  Something's going to work out."

The laid-off workers tell Eyewitness News they've filed a lawsuit, accusing Colibri of violating the Warn Act, which requires companies to give employees 60-days notice before laying them off.

Colibri's court-appointed receiver says he has not heard about any legal action.