NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Brooklyn man has been charged in connection with the assault of two police officers during a protest Saturday night on the Brooklyn Bridge, police said.

The charges against Eric Linsker, 29, of Crown Heights, who was arrested shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday, include assault in the second degree, rioting in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana.

As CBS2’s Matt Kozar reported, Linsker appeared before a judge in criminal court in Lower Manhattan Sunday night and was released without having to post bail.

Linsker’s lawyer said the case against his client is weak, but police and prosecutors claim he incited a riot leading to protesters beating up two police lieutenants.

Linsker is an English professor at Baruch College, 1010 WINS reported.

In a statement, Baruch College President Mitchel B. Wallerstein said, “Facts about the arrest of a person identified by the police as Eric Linsker, reportedly an adjunct faculty member in the English Department at Baruch College, are being collected and verified by the College. We have confirmed that Mr. Linsker is currently teaching one composition course at Baruch.

“Working with The City University of New York, Baruch will cooperate fully, as called upon, in any criminal investigation. While we believe firmly in the exercise of free speech, we deplore violence of any kind and will support the official investigation of this matter.”