HARTFORD, Conn. -- The man arrested at the governor's inaugural parade appeared in court on Tuesday to face a breach of peace charge.

The governor's parade was traveling through Bushnell Park in Hartford on Jan. 3 when, police said, a man jumped off his bicycle and got in front of the procession.

It turns out state police knew the man's identity, Ken Krayekse, and they continue to defend their actions amid political pressure to drop charges.

"The First Amendment of the United States of America says, 'Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or the freedom of the press.' I was acting as a journalist," Krayekse said.

In addition to the breach of peace charge, authorities charged him with interfering with police after taking pictures of the governor. Raff said Krayeske has his own Web site and has been critical of the governor.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Susan Raff reported police had pictures of Krayeske and information that he was a Green Party activist long before the parade. State police said Krayeske was mentioned at a security briefing before the parade.

After the arrest, Gov. M. Jodi Rell demanded state police submit a report on Krayekse's arrest to her office.

Connecticut Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle defended the actions of the state police, saying, "They were consistent with the Bill of Rights. The state police does not maintain lists of political enemies of any public officials."

Some lawmakers said police went too far and that when troopers saw Krayeske, they overreacted.

"It sends a chilling affect on the First Amendment of the Constitution, the right for people to protest," said Bridgeport Rep. Chris Caruso, D-District 126. "In this case, he wasn't protesting. He was taking pictures of the governor."

The charges against Krayeske are still pending.

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