Third Video Of NYPD Scooter Vs. Occupy Wall Street Legal Observer

Photograph of a National Lawyers' Guild observer whose leg was run over by a NYPD officer on a scooter (AP)

Yesterday, an observer for the National Lawyers Guild had a literal run-in with a NYPD cop on a scooter during an Occupy Wall Street morning march. Videos show Ari Douglas screaming after seemingly getting run over by a scooter, but there are varying opinions about what happened: Some say he was hit by the scooter while others (like the NYPD) say Douglas put his legs under the scooter and pretended he was hit. A reader Tweeted another video and said, "My video of legal observer Ari Douglas shows he did not try to get run over by NYPD." Take a look—it's a little hard to see, because it's shaky:

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told CityRoom that Douglas "was not trapped. Independent witnesses said he purposely put his legs under the scooter and then claimed falsely he was trapped." (Keep in mind, Browne said that cops used pepper spray "appropriately" when an official sprayed apparently peaceful, kettled protesters and fellow cops and a photographer.) Browne also said that Douglas, who had been warned to stay out of the street, kicked the scooter, "After he said he was trapped, he kicked over the same scooter.”

A Daily News photographer claims that Douglas stuck his legs under the scooter, but did say the scooter hit him while another legal observer said, "His leg was stuck under the bike, and he kicked his leg to get the bike off his leg, and then the police attacked him and shoved him into the ground and put a night stick against the back of his neck." Here are the other videos:

OWS_PoliceScooter from The Local East Village on Vimeo.

Douglas was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and two counts of criminal mischief. National Lawyers Guild member Gideon Oliver told us yesterday morning that Douglas had injuries to his face, "It's outrageous he was assaulted after he was arrested."

We're told that Douglas has retained attorney Yetta Kurland in his defense, and is currently being arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court. Kurland unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2009 for the 3rd District.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 15, 2011 3:25 PM

Comments [rss]

Zefal

Which soccer team does he play for?

StayBank

1) Scooters usually aren't moving when the kickstand is down.
2) "They ran over his foot!" is not as catchy as "Don't tase me bro!"

Tarbox Kiersted

James Lafferty, attorney, on his bogus arrest and bogus charge of "resisting."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Br00klynian

More evidence of his Fraud:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Greg Froober

That scooter was going maybe 2 mph max.   I don't see how it's even possible to get "run over" by it.

The most recent video posted even shows questionable actions by the guy who claims to be run over.

and surprise, surprise.. he a is a jewish lawyer.

I call BS.   And I rarely side with cops

Br00klynian

1010WINS just reported that teh city is going to fight this up and coming fraudulent lawsuit tooth and nail. WOW, when have you ever heard this happen? Usually the city settles but then again the city must be sitting on some serious evidence that is being saved for the courtroom.

This guy is going to get his ass handed to him twice. Once in the street and second in the court room.

Overwhelmingryan

Clearly purposely put his legs under the scooter and then screamed like someone was amputating his leg.

m015094

How did his foot magically go from being under the front wheel to being under the back wheel while the scooter didn't move an inch? Answer: Liar Liar pants on fire.

Theose

Fucking drama queen.

Senseful

What a terrible black eye for the National Lawyers Guild.

John

Methinks these police defenders do protest too much!

yappy00

And I'll repeat my comment from yesterday's videos:

Oh... fuck... off...

0:13 -- you can see the guy's left foot in front of -- clearly not "under" -- the wheel, and wiggling freely
0:17 -- you can actually watch the moment the guy moves his foot out and under the back wheel instead

Just when you thought the incident couldn't get any more lol-worthy.

Seriously, you fuckers need to belt up and take some responsibility.

OWS was originally meant to prompt corporate and banking reforms? So why are you trying to fan the flames of fucking anarchy by sensationalizing the cause with all this irrelevant anti-police, anti-authority, anti-government, anti-state, anti-fucking-anything-that's-bigger-than-you agitprop?

Well done. You've brought together aimless, disappointed, disaffected youths from all over the country -- the world, now -- and are moulding them into an aimless, angry, seething mob with herd mentality.

You've already prompted full-on riots and anarchy in Rome. Happy now?

I'd have patted you on the back and given you props for standing up for your beliefs, but your complete lack of direction and focus has led to loss of any modicum of control you ever believed you had over this "movement".

Your movement is no longer about Wall Street or corporate greed. It's now about a herd of pissed-off everymen coming together with a bunch of problems and zero solutions.

You've lost. Hell, you'd lost before you even started because you never knew what you wanted. You weren't making demands because you never had any solutions to propose. Your "movement" was a farce from the start because a "movement" has focus, direction, and goals. You never had any of those; just a voice and a bunch of indiscriminate anger. What started out as haphazard voicing of random gripes and complaints has devolved into mere rabble-rousing and is now ready to descend further towards anarchy.

Grow the fuck up.

John

Why has he been held incommunicado with his lawyer -- and why haven't reports on his condition been released. Could he have been more gravely injured than first appeared? Is he still alive?

Br00klynian

Please do not be ridiculous with your assumptions. Dead he is not and hurt he is not. If indeed he were hurt he would be holding some sort of press conference with his lawyer present and him wearing a full body cast. Being that he was arrested and no injury was document he has no leg to stand on(excuse the pun) Couple the latter with the police video of the entire incident what you have is a fool who is in seclusion hiding from the press and mulling over whether he should take the gamble and sue the NYPD. Remember just because he retained a lawyer does not mean he is suing. I think he will quietly disappear in order to avoid anymore embarrassment for himself and the movement.

Poor little fraudster got owned by his very own colleagues.

Br00klynian

The police film their events and I have no doubt that their video is far superior than these shakey videos. I can see at least 2 police cameramen on scene. Too bad the city will not release the video until the lawsuit is heard in court. I would pay $1000 to be there when the city brings out their footage and thus nullifies this fool's lawsuit once and for all. He will learn a valuable lesson in trying to scam the city and hopefully he will get disbarred.

LazyNanny

I'll add the Gothamist disclaimer: allegedly-reputedly-seemingly.

Br00klynian

Latest video makes matters worse. You can clearly see the fool on the floor moving his foot from front to rear wheel of the scooter in order to make it look more sensational. Thank god the news outlets around the world are already stating this is a sad attempt at fraud. Yet another staged event to make this entire movement look like a joke.

thenab

Cops can be so pointlessly aggressive. After this guys sues the city guess who is gonna foot the bill ---US.

Shoulda just told the guy to get up..check his ankle..move on.