Tappan Zee Protester Released On $500 Bail

The man who on a rope ladder Monday to protest Rockland County government is now a free man, and is facing no felony charges, police said.

Michael Davitt, a 54-year-old from West Haverstraw, hung between the span and Hudson River for about three hours on a homemade contraption complete with a sign that read "Rockland Executive Legislature Retaliation."

Rescue authorities on the ground, in the water and in the air scrambled to lower Davitt from his perch—but when he was nearly on a rescue boat, the protester leapt into the water to avoid arrest. He was then transported to Westchester Medical Center in police custody.

Watch a video of Davitt's jump—and trip on a stretcher—.

After medical authorities determined Davitt had no injuries, he was placed back in police custody. Shortly after, he was released on $500 bail, state police said.

Davitt faces no felony charges at this time, only misdemeanors. He has been charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass and reckless endangerment. Police said a judge will determine if Davitt serves jail time or only pays fines.

Davitt worked as an substance abuse counselor for the county until 2008, when he was fired for an inability to do his job. And though yesterday's stunt was unprecedented, Davitt has a history of public demonstrations: for the past several years, he conducted one-man protests in front of the Rockland County Office Building in New City with a sign reading "Indict Vanderhoef," and has repeatedly spoken before sessions of the Rockland County Legislature.

Davitt also against the Rockland County Sheriff. His neighbors describe him as a "."