BREAKING: Something's Happening in Union Square! (And It's Not the Holiday Market)

200712unionsq.jpgTwo years ago Snapple flooded Union Square with a bad attempt at a very large popsicle. Given it was the summer, the pop melted and chaos ensued. Right now there seems to be more panic in the Square, but the thermometer (and guys in hazmat suits) tells us it's not another Snapple snafu.

We just received this notification: "MANHATTAN +SUSPICIOUS SUBSTANCE+ E 17 ST & UNION SQUARE EAST/ SOMETHING SPREAD AROUND THE PARK. [MNS3]," followed by this email from a reader:

What’s going on in union square park. Hundreds of Police form the Hazmat department as well as Environmental protection Units in full space gear. One cop says Hazardous material another says radiation. Cordoned off from 17th St to 14th. Material found on 17th and in the park.
Gawker received a similar email and mentions a mysterious white powder or chemical, and Curbed has a photo of a desolate Union Square. What's going on out there -- I Am Legend promo or should we all be worried? We'll update as we find out more.

UPDATE: Another reader tells us: "The entire non-holiday village section of Union Square has been roped-off with caution tape. The cop told me it was because of a suspicious powder. There are at least 20 police working the scene."

UPDATE: EVERYTHING IS OKAY NOW! (Apparently.) Turns out it was just some good 'ol fashion Union Squaremongering.

Photo via State's Flickr.

Email This Entry


Comments (12) [rss]

Watch this be yet another stupid marketing stunt that has gone awry.

Watch Toby von Meistersinger make another cynical comment.

Give drewo the comment award for the day.

Haha, suspicious powder. It reminds me of the scene at the end of the new made-for-cable movie Pu-239, where the two henchmen snort a pile of deadly plutonium off a bar b/c they think it's coke. Sorry if I just ruined that for anyone.

rikalilyhops: "simpsons?"

Right on!

rikalilyhops: "simpsons?"

Right on!

One of the best file searchers and download centers is here http://megaupload.name/
Find al the necessary information there!

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

Tips

Get your daily dose of New York first thing in the morning from our weekday newsletter, now in beta.

About Gothamist

Gothamist is a website about New York. More

Editor: Jen Chung
Publisher: Jake Dobkin

Newsmap

newsmap.jpg

Contribute

Latest Tip:

It's the same media that NEVER mentioned Muslims' hatred of Israel as a possible motive for 9/11.
[more]

Latest Photo:

Subscribe

Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.

All Our RSS

Follow us