DURHAM -- A Durham protester faced a judge Tuesday for her role in toppling over a Confederate statue in August.

Eight others are charged in the case, but asked to go back to court next year.

Those protesters held a rally after several of them appeared in court Tuesday morning.

Loan Tran is the only protester who entered into a deferred prosecution agreement, not a plea deal.

If she pays $1,250 in restitution and performs community service, the prosecution will drop the misdemeanor charges of injury to real and personal property and defacing a statue.

One protester said she didn't take the agreement because she wants to go to trial. She admits helping to topple the statue but doesn't believe she should be found guilty of the charges.

"Because it was the will of the people and because the politicians in this city and in this state have put in pre-emptive laws to thwart the will of the people and that itself is a crime," said Takiyah Thompson.

Three other protesters were in court for bringing a mask and weapons to other rallies in August. They, too, will go back to court next year.