NYPD WEAPONS OF ANTI MASS PROTEST
All information here is publicly available from other sites and has been published here for historical record.
Quoted from NYC Indymedia:
" The first wave of posts on tonight's Critical Mass have come in. The ride was New York's largest critical mass, with well over 5,000 bikes.
Gathering at Union Square in the middle of Manhattan at 7 p.m. and departing at 7:30, oil-free transportation stretched across all horizons around Union Square. First pedaling south down Broadway and then rerouting north on Madison and Sixth avenues, Critical Mass consisted of a 45 block long brigade of cyclists, skaters and pedestrians. The ride lasted about 2 hours, performed its traditional occupation of Times Square and rode past Madison Square Garden (MSG), site of the RNC.
Approximately 800 Critical Massers ended up at St. Mark's church in lower Manhattan, sanctuary for the protest and home to much of the organizing for the counter RNC mobilizing. Upon arriving at the church, the Critical Mass riders hoisted their bikes into the air, waving them overhead as they unleashed a long unified victory cry.
The celebratory mood at St. Mark's lasted only fifteen minutes though before police moved and began arresting participants. Critical Mass riders elsewhere were caught and arrested by New York City Police along the way. Several riders were taken down after passing MSG, dozens more were arrested at the Lincoln Tunnel.
Video of the evening being processed by the Indymedia Center right now shows the regrettably predictable violent nature of the arrests. Caught on tape are images of protesters being thrown off their bicycles, heads beaten into the asphalt, then cuffed with plastic flexi-cuffs. Pedestrians milling about also unfortunately fell victim to the cops, getting pulled off the street and arrested too. The latest reports put the total amount of arrested riders and bystanders at 250 people. "
Quoted from NYC Indymedia
(Full Article):" Today, starting in Brooklyn, a March for Womens Lives was scheduled, the plan was to march across the Brooklyn Bridge to make sure that issues of reproductive health.global family planning, real sex education, accessible, safe and legal abortion, birth control options, the right to privacy regarding sexuality, and equal access to health care.are part of the national political dialogue.
Around 1pm today speakers started at Candon park in Brooklyn, the rally started small with just over 500 protesters and only about 70 police officers. There didnt seem to be much tension, with many of the cops being on bicycle. There were people there handing out water and Luna bars, to a very diverse crowd.
By 1:30, the march had begun and the crowd was up in the thousands, byt the time they started crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. Reports came in of as many as 16,000 marchers going over the bridge. By the time the march reached City Hall Park for the end rally, it was three hours into it. There were reports of good vibes and lots of support (in the form of honking) by the passing vehicles. "
Pictures of the March For Women's Lives:
8:33PM
Protesters chanting at delegates at Boathouse, as the delegates are drinking wine and smoking cigars. caller says one arrest at the restaurant. Police are pushing people back from the barricades. Police spaniding the crowd and penning them in.
8:13PM
Boathouse: Cops putting up barricades. Seem to be wanting to create a clear area in front of restaurant. Not everyone in that area wants to leave.
8:12PM
Update from Boathouse in Central Park: Cops are gathering, and look like they might want to clear the protesters to get the delegates out of the restaurant.
8:08PM
Police say they are getting ready to arrest jail solidarity demonstrators in front of Pier 57
8:06PM
A group of people are surrounded by police in front of the Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park. Police have called for a bus, saying they are getting ready to arrest 100 people there.
8:02PM
53rd & Broadway: 50 motorcycle cops pulled up. Not clear if they're staging for some action, or "just resting".
7:56PM
Current total arrest number (for today) from Legal: 200, 45 of which were in Times Square - including 3 legal observers. And arrests may still be underway in that area.
7:42PM
53rd & Broadway: standoff continues in front of Bombay Dreams. protesters shouting at delegates as they're coming out. riot cops there. big teams of undercovers on scooters. lots of police video cameras, at least 10.
7:39PM
5 minutes ago: "a shit ton" of delegates headed from 47th to 48th on B'way right now
7:38PM
10 mintues ago: Large police line forming at B'way and 53rd at Bombay Dreams, caller says it looks like their gonna put delegates on busses soon, people are waiting to see what happens
7:28PM
52nd and Broadway: at least two arrests total. Caller is moving to keep himself from being arrested.
7:27PM
52nd and Broadway: street vendor (who happens to be a person of color, quelle surprise) being harrassed by secret service and police. Cop yelling at uninvolved Hispanic family.
7:25PM
52nd and Broadway: undercover cops have been riding around on mopeds. 18 of them are here.
7:24PM
52nd and Broadway: 1 person just arrested.
7:23PM
52nd and Broadway, Mouse Bloc moving back onto Broadway. Cops telling people if they leave right now they will not be arrested. Cops saying you'll get fingerprinted, etc.
7:19PM
Police have entrapped the mouse bloc spanided them into two groups: those who wanted to be arrested and those who did not. Arrests are most likely underway. Exact number is unknown. During this confrontation, police and secret servicemen started harassing street vendors and other non-white pedestrians who were minding their own business on Broadway.
7:15PM
Great Lawn in Central Park: ~3000 people hanging out, "chillin'". And now cops are going home!
7:14PM
"total circus" in Times Squares: tons of Rethuglican delegates, tons of media, tons of activists. Delegates are easy to spot, as they're all carrying bright red NYTimes bags.
7:08PM
cat and mouse on 7th. nimble, clever activists are evading lumbering police. amused bystanders joining in or following along to watch. seems to be a fun, anarchic scene!
7:05PM
25 gay rights activists were arrested at 45th and 8th, Milford PLAZA HOTEL.
6:58PM
45th & 8th: about 40 people from the Queer Kiss-in are being arrested. they're all zip-tied and up against a wall.
6:53PM
45th and 8th: people being arrested after kiss-in
6:45PM
Mouse blockers have been scurrying around 48th and Broadway chanting "Bush and Kerry, they all must go." Police, in full riot gear have been chasing them up 7th ave.
6:44PM
Aida update: giant police hummer has arrived. Caller: "uh, we're gonna move a bit."
6:44PM
Protestor to delegates: There are ONE MILLION of us marching today.
6:41PM
7th & 47th. 1 person being detained. 150 of the Mouse Bloc shouting down delegates.
6:41PM
Aida update: 80 people out front chanting "Republican Scum Your Time Has Come". one arrest confirmed- catering to delegates mock action- feeding hor d'oeurves to delegates
6:39PM
About 80 people are in the mouse bloc in front of Aida, facing off with delegates (verbally). Police are advancing, pushing protesters up 7th ave. It is unclear whether there will be arrests at this time.
6:38PM
45th and 6th police are blocking the street and pushing back protestors. police: "anyone in the street is subject to arrest"
6:37PM
Report from inside Toys R Us in Times Square: police paddy wagons line the street; cops trying to clear everyone away, off sidewalks and streets. delegates to be escorted away afterwards?
6:36PM
Central Park Great Lawn: Thousands of people, having a good time.
6:31PM
45th & 7th: Cops yelling "Let's go! Let's go!" All protestors are on sidewalks. Only place protestors can go is to leave. Whole area has been closed off to protestors.
6:30PM
dispersal warning in front of marriot -- 46th & bdway
6:29PM
Cops blocking off street; telling people that protestors have blocked off streets. Using Swatch shop on corner of 46th, dragged protestors into the store and put orange netting around it.
6:29PM
Caller in middle of pen in Times Square. No way for media, protestors and legal observers to get out. Officer Alles reading out orders to disperse. Also present: Officers Caneco, Esiky, Powers. Caller being pushed off sidewalk by cops.
6:26PM
police closing the streets and relating that the protesters are closing the streets, 45th & 7th
6:26PM
Police are beating and arresting at 45 & 6
6:26PM
45th & 7th st. near broadway. several protests when delegates coming out of shows. Police making many more arrests, creating volatile situation. Arrests were unprovoked. About 200 officers there, triple the # of protestors.
6:25PM
Mad Sq Garden: heavier police presence. more and more press and police. huge crowd. 10 more people arrested at 36th and broadway. Around 40 riots cops and barricades @ 35th St.
6:24PM
45TH AND broadway cops are starting to make arrrests again with the orange netting
6:20PM
Police have chased protesters into a Swatch store on the corner of 45th and 7th. They have been penned in with nets. People are being allowed to leave, some arrests are being made. Mouse bloc is regrouping in front of Aida - 42nd and 7th at 6:30.
6:18PM
Mad Sq Garden: heavier police presence. more and more press and police. huge crowd.
6:17PM
Delegates are standing in front of Bombay Dreams. People are chanting "right wing scum your time has come!"
6:16PM
Free 103 is reporting that 9 anarchists have been charged with felony counts.
6:15PM
report: downtown: talked to legal observers: c. 200 arrests, c. 4 people injured; police denying medical attention to injured.
6:14PM
CALLOUT: large police contingent heading north on 8th above 50th. request: legal observers begging for media to come out. concern location: 47th & 8th, a couple blocks over from broadway, right in Times Square.
6:12PM
Injuries reported amongst people arrested in Times Square. Legal is calling for media to come down and document arrests (47th and 8th).
6:10PM
Now c. 2000+ people in Central Park. Lots of people in and out. Varies with what is going on. Been back in Central Park c. 1 hr. People are chilling out, enjoying drum core, Direct Action Network training, Not in My Name.
6:09PM
Central Park: INB came by: Awesome sound: Organizing people: Police consficated INB sound system. Two INB members went off with police; unclear whether being detained or whether INB trying to get equipment back.
5:56PM
43rd & broadway: queerfist came marching and merged with mouse block in front of marriott on broadway; at least six arrests; not charging them with anything; not telling them where they're being taken.
5:47PM
Times Square, outside Marriott Hotel: Confrontation -- Protesters have surrounded Rethuglican delegates and are chanting "RNC Go Home!" Delegates are running away or being pulled away by police. Hee hee.
5:45PM
46th & Broadway: about 40 people rounded up by police in a large orange net. legal observers also being arrested.
5:42PM
"Mouse Bloc" protesters "harrassing" Republican delegates leaving Broadway shows by singing.
5:42PM
Phone report from great lawn at central park; helicopters; police laying back; large media presence; # of people astill growing; people sitting down, hanging out, large # of people congregating in center part of central park; mouse block singing.
5:40PM
46th & Broadway: Entire block of protesters (100-150) getting arrested one-by-one. They are completely surrounded by police. 15 legal observers are witnessing.
5:37PM
About 100 people people arrested at Times Square. Area has been sealed off.
5:35PM
Entire block of 45th and 46th being penned in. Cops surrounding the area with orange netting.
5:33PM
Cops coming down Broadway from 45th to 46th.... looks like they're getting to arrest everybody.
5:30PM
Cops are calling for more reinforcements to the area.
5:27PM
There are still appx. 200 people in the area around 46th, they are regrouping. Orange plastic netting is being used to entrap and arrest people in groups. The entire block from 25th to 26th has been penned in. More arrests appear imminent.
5:27PM
lawyers being arrested at 45th & 8th.
5:25PM
w 45th and 8th ave -- mass arrest. cops have people on their hands and knees. at least 20 cops taking down about 25 protesters. cops utilizing rough behavior. "oh shit!" -- 15-20 more cops showing up.
5:22PM
Central Park: at least "a couple thousand" people on Great Lawn, according to a listener who's monitoring webcams.
5:20PM
police surrounding broadway theaters in force.
5:19PM
7th ave and 46th st. Medic and another person has been arrested. dispersal order given, mass arrests might be imminent.
5:17PM
Two people arrested on 15th, in SE corner of Union Square.
5:16PM
Police making lots of arrests, loading them into vans, and are pushing and batonning people in Times Square.
5:15PM
5-6 police vans just came down 5th & 23rd. Huge SWAT team-type vans, apparently to arrest people.
5:14PM
Riot cops arresting people in Times Square who are "refusing to disperse".
5:13PM
More mounted police are being called to the scene. Protesters are chanting "shame." people are being beaten with nightsticks. legal is on the scene
5:12PM
Cops at 46th & Broadway making arrests. Over a hundred people are there.
5:10PM
Times Square: police are telling people to move along, but are having trouble telling protesters from tourists. As if protesters don't have the same right to be there as tourists.
5:05PM
Reports of arrests and brutality from cops on horses on 46th and Broadway. There are hundreds of people, it's difficult to tell who are protesters, who are not.
5:05PM
The Great Lawn is packed and a festive atmosphere is pervading.
5:04PM
Richmond IMCista and friends waiting for delegates from their state to emerge from "Beauty and the Beast". Cops are around, and NYers are talking to them. They plan to let the delegates let them know how they feel about them.
5:03PM
Arturo update continued: a lot of cops with helmets and sticks headed toward this area; not mobilizing yet, just getting ready... numbers are growing. more police cars, vans & helicopters heading toward Central Park.
5:02PM
100-200 people are at 45th and Broadway (post-kiss-in and mouse bloc actions, waiting for intermissions). Riot cops are advancing towards them. Police have said they will be arrested if they don't disperse.
5:02PM
report from arturo: in central park: police presence, media encampment. Rode subway to south end... had to walk about 25 blocks. a lot hotter in the city, cooler in the park.
4:51PM
Cspan reported 396,000 at march today. Corporate media is saying "tens of thousands", the jerks.
3:52PM
coffins, towards the end of the line, are passing MSG
3:50PM
A reliable source says all news helicopters have been kicked out of airspace above march.
3:45PM
Reports are coming in that the National Guard will be flying in to wall street, to survey but not land.
3:40PM
Update on Central Park: Not much is happening, although there are a lot of people, mostly milling about around the south end.
3:27PM
Police have removed barricades at 30th and 7th, the march is starting to move north again.
3:20PM
At this point, the crowd is standing and waiting patiently. The police are going to let the march start again.
3:15PM
Cops cleared 34th and 7th with horses. Approx 12 horses. Several arrests.
3:11PM
34th, completely clear of people in front of MSG.
3:02PM
The fire has been extinguished, its causes are unknow. NYPD is dispatching the bomb squad to the area 33rd and 7th (very near Madison Square Garden).
3:00PM
UFPJ safety marshalls are reportedly linking arms in union square trying to dissuade people from going to central park.
2:56PM
There was a fire on 33rd and 7th, slightly larger than a burning trash can. Police have extinguished it.
2:39PM
A "kick the heads of state" soccer game is taking place in central park. Large numbers of people are reportedly heading to the park for a picnic.
2:29PM
Police are actively trying to keep peeople out of Central Park. People on 5th Ave are unable to levae the march. Meanwhile, people at Union Square are being told to disperse into the subways.
2:25PM
One arrest at Union Square. Person had been speaking on a bullhorn, was quickly tackled and removed. Four vans of riot police have arrived and are suiting up.
2:18PM
100 cops are congregating and starting to close in union sq park on s side.
2:15PM
End of march seems to be at 17th and 7th. Feeder marches still seem to be trying to get top the march.
1:50PM
Red flyers are being passed around the march that say "see you in the Park at 3PM"
1:42PM
Report from the street: At 7th ave and 34th outside Macy's, dick chaney and george bush are on the tv screen People are booing.
1:24PM
protest warriors are at 7th btw 29th and 30th on west side of street, provoking members of the APOC anti-imperialist contingent in arguments, trying to incite violence. police have stepped in, trying to keep them in check.
1:24PM
Overall vibe from the march (from what we can tell): Large, slow moving, generally peaceful. Very, very big.
1:05PM
first estimate of crowd size,from indiana radio station: over 200,000. The head of the march is at 5th and 25th. police have moved into block people at 14th and 7th ave.
12:37PM
Undercover motorcycle cops attack cyclists in the bike bloc at 6th ave and west 41st. Appx 40 arrests have been made. Cyclists are reconvening at Union Sq. south.
12:26PM
the march has turned right on 34th street, stretches down to 12 st. at least. despite some arrests occuring, the energy is strong and positive
12:24PM
bike bloc reportedly experiencing mass arrests at 7th and 34th
12:23PM
the march has spilled over onto 6th ave, thousands of people are trying to get to 7th ave.
12:12PM
2 activists making a film "this revolution" filming at 8th and 34th - 2 actresses wearing masks, one was Rosario Dawson. the police sped up in a van, jumped out and arrested the 2 actors for wearing masks.
12:10PM
the march has stopped right in front of madison square garden: michael moore, leslie hagan, danny glover and jesse jackson have all locked arms in front behind the banner, stopped for media opp.
12:01PM
Broadway and 34th, 3 cyclists and at least 2 legal observed taken into custody, unconfirmed reports from nyc legal of arrests at 41st and 7th.
Quoted from NYC Indymedia:" "ASSEMBLE beginning at 10:00AM between 15th and 22nd Streets, stretching from 5th to 9th Avenues (view map) It will be easiest to enter the area from either 5th Avenue or 9th Avenue.
Please note: You will NOT be able to enter the assembly area from the north. If you are coming from Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, or any other place north of 14th Street, take any subway line to 14th Street and join the assembly area from there.
The MARCH will proceed up Seventh Avenue past Madison Square Garden. We will turn right on 34th Street, follow it east to Fifth Avenue, march down Fifth Avenue to 23rd Street, then take Broadway down to Union Square, where the march will end. THERE WILL BE NO RALLY." "
Pictures of the UFPJ march:
Pictures from 1000 Coffin March that joined with UFPJ:
Quoted from RNC Not Welcome:" There have been various calls to disrupt the 8 Broadway shows attended by RNC Delegates at 5PM. Check out the shows here, the Mouse Bloc Call, the Chaos On Broadway Call and the points to reconverge after the UFPJ march here. There is also a bike bloc planned all day-read the details here. "
Quoted from Mouse Bloc Call:
" As the Republican elephant tramples into our city, thousands of mischievous mice will confront them in the streets! On August 29 at 5PM, over 13,000 Republican fatcat delegates will be attending eight Disneyfied Broadway shows in Midtown Manhattan.
Every good little mouse in NYC knows the Republicans are only here to steal our cheese. This is our city! These are our theaters! Thousands of mice will swarm the streets to remind the forgetful old elephants that they are not welcome in this town. They will not be able to have fun at our expense without facing thousands of pissed off mice in the streets.
The idea is simple: show up at 4:00 at one of eight theater locations and be ready to topple the elephant to the ground. Mice love nothing more than theater in the street, loud drums, music of all kinds, radical cheerleaders, marching bands, anti-capitalist preachers, dumpster divers, bike blockers, pissed off workers, disrupters, rowdies, "out of town" troublemakers", roving affinity groups, pink bloques, kissing queers, clowns, pirates, khaki-clad yuppies, radical gardeners, puppetistas, pagans, samba bands, chicks with dicks, revel-utionaries, fire-eaters, throwers & spitters, drag kings and queens, billionaires, punks-be they crusty or clean!, zapatistas, autonomistas and of course, your friendly local ANARCHISTS! They claim the people of NYC are a 'threat to the city'-we say the Republicans and their agenda are the real threat.
Do bring--friends, family, affinity groups, bikes, costumes, mouse ears, tails and whiskers. cheese (soy or otherwise), anything you need for a good action.
Don't bring--Padded blocs-cuz its the NYPD and this ain't Italy! Black Blocs--cuz this ain.t Seattle and its 2004!
Come join us on the 29th for some action outside of the NYPD-approved 'frozen zone'. Solidarity to the August 31 actions! "
Quoted from A31:" We will turn the streets of NYC into stages of resistance and forums for debate. We are calling for actions focusing on Republican events throughout the day. We are asking all New Yorkers to join us in the streets on this day. If you don't want to risk the streets, we ask that you at least participate from the sidewalks.
4pm: A wave of actions will occur around the buildings of war profiteers, Republican donors and the corporations that have hijacked our air, water, land, pensions and voice. Check out "Participating Groups" for some of the listed options. Or, on August 31st, go to the stairs on the Southside of Union Square Park where people can give you directions to the action.
6pm: New Yorkers and our friends from out of town will gather in Madison Square Park (23rd St. and Broadway) and on the steps of the New York Public Library (42nd St. and 5th Ave.)
7pm: We will converge on Madison Square Garden. Inside the Garden, the Republicans are holding a dog and pony show, fueled by corporate dollars. Outside, where the barricades end, real democracy begins. Where ever these barricades end, we will create "free speech zones." These will be places where we can express our outrage, where we can create the kind of world we want to see through music and free food and dancing and debate. We will not be asking for permits to create these zones. If we are asked to move, we will sit down and refuse.
The beliefs of the majority of New Yorkers, of people across this country, of people throughout the world were ignored by the Bush Administration. And it is here, at the end of the barricades surrounding Madison Square Garden, that some of these voices will find expression at 7pm. These barricades may end on 7th Avenue and they may end way over on 3rd. But where ever they end, that is where democracy begins. "
2004 Republic National Convention
Republican National Committee
NYC Indymedia
NYC Grassroots Media Coalition
RNC Watch
: RNC Protest Groups :
United For Peace And Justice
RNC Not Welcome
Counter Convention
Shut It Down NYC
Still We Rise
A31 Action
