July 20, 2004
Police Tactics Limited During Protests
Convention protest buzz - Both the NYPD and protest groups are claiming victory with a federal judge's ruling that (via NY1):
- Police cannot search demonstrators' bags unless they can show a specific threat to public safety;
- Police can conduct less-intrusive searches, such as using metal detecting wands
- Police can use metal pens to control protesters, but not to contain them
However, the Daily News says the NYPD is actually very upset, saying the judge's leniency may result in more chaos (check out the Daily News' editorial: Judge Sweet, how crazy are you? referring to the federal court judge who ruled). .
The Times reports that United for Peace and Justice, though unhappy with the NYPD-proposed protest location of the West Side Highway, may accept the offer, as long as the NYPD will "help provide water, shuttle buses to subways and the more expensive sound system they say is necessary to reach protesters who may be miles from the stage." A Police Department official scoffed at the request, saying, "Whether it's a picnic in Central Park or a demonstration, they're expected to carry their own water - literally." This is something Gothamist has been wondering about - what exactly are the police and city supposed to provide during a protest? Portapotties? How much do these protest permits cost?
The NYCLU's Protecting Protest Rights page.
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As far as I can tell, the only thing the city has to provide is electricity if necessary. Everything else is up the group requesting the permit. This seems to be true off all events according to the website.
Beware of right wing agitators who have vowed to infiltrate the protest to incite acts of violence in an attempt to discredit the legitimate demonstrators.
who are these agitators? I have heard of plenty of pro-GOP protests, but none that have promised violence. Can you back up your claim?
while we're on the topic, has anyone read greg.org's "how i would protest at the republican convention"? read it here.
its a common tactic
If checking bags is fine & dandy with the NYCLU, etc when entering, say, Yankee Stadium, I'm not sure why it isn't OK around Madison Square Garden.
Last I checked, there wasn't any "specific threat" at a baseball game either.
Really, sp? Common to who? I'm waiting for the substance. Before you slander someone, get your facts straight. Name the right-wing agitator group that has threatened to incite violence.
like Robert Novak, I wont divulge my sources.
haha, not a Novak fan I see.
That greg.org suggestion is powerful stuff.
the greg.org stuff was really interesting...
i had heard the same thing about the right-wing agitators trying to disrupt protests.