Gothamist: Mini Anti-War Rally in Union Square Stopped

TJ

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 22:05:54 -0500

Yes, enough already! I live right near the park and can hear the bullhorn-toting protestors all the time. I support their right to speak about whatever they want, but not with a friggin' bullhorn. I can hear it in my apartment. It is very irritating.

paki

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 20:09:43 -0500

seems pretty simple to me. they did not have a sound permit, in fact the NYPD denied them a permit, and yet they still went ahead and used sound amplication equipment. The protesters wanted a confrontation and got one. Unfortunately this (1) takes away from their message and (2) takes away the ability for others to peacefully enjoy the park.

pugsley

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:49:08 -0500

good for the cops for enforcing the noise pollution regs. This is the third recent arrest of Zulkowitz for using his Mr. Microphone. While it's traditional to have the occassional pro-terrorist crackpot soapboxing in union square, they shouldn't be irritating people with amplifiers.

hijiki

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 11:24:47 -0500

my thoughts exactly, timbnyc. he's pretty unconcerned with civil liberties. although i don't know about this particular event.

timbnyc

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 09:34:24 -0500

I'd vote for Bloomberg if he'd show any inclination to rein in the cops. He's just turned the whole thing over to Kelly, there's absolutely no civilian oversight.

Don

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 09:19:06 -0500

As a Union Square resident, let me just say this about that: The park and south plaza are totally packed all the time, and it can be virtually impossible to enter the subway at times due to protests, trinket salesmen, and pamphleteers. What a mess, albeit an all-American first-amendment mess. I say yes, demand permits when people want to wheel in audio equipment. Gotta draw the line somewhere.

protester

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 09:12:45 -0500

Anyone notice that protesters treat these events like rock concerts? Artfully designed flyers. Kids exclaim with glee "So, are you gonna go to the protest? I'm so excited!" Sheehan is the rockstar. There's moshing with the police. It's just as smelly. And there's ALWAYS some sort of afterparty, with jungle music, vegan potlucks and clothing swaps.

S.D.

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 09:03:03 -0500

I wonder how much advance Notice they gave the City? Allowing Snapple to have their Disaster and not allowing a Permit to anti-war protestors? Nice. I was out of town at the End of the Month: Is mayor Bloomberg still going after those Eeeeeevil Bike Riders??