UFT: NYPD Is Spying On Us For Supporting Occupy Wall Street

Protesters man the coat check in the UFT building at 52 Broadway (Christopher Robbins / Gothamist)

After aligning themselves with the Occupy Wall Street movement, the United Federation of Teaches believes the NYPD has put their offices under constant surveillance. "I'll put it this way," UFT President Michael Mulgrew tells NY1, "We are a very safe building at this point in time since we seem to have all our exits and entrances are all being watched."

After the threat of eviction from Zuccotti Park last week, the UFT has allowed the protesters to store their personal and donated items in a vacant floor of 52 Broadway, a few blocks from the demonstrations. Current OWS sanitation chair Max Hodes told us last week that no one is allowed to sleep in the space, and that everyone is allowed one bag per person.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne denied that they've been ramping up surveillance on the UFT. "When police saw individuals wheeling boxes into Zuccotti Park with the union's address on it, we investigated to make sure people weren't taking valuables from the location uninvited. We subsequently determined it had been donated by the union." Asked why their cars were still stationed outside 52 Broadway, the NYPD noted that "it's a busy area."

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

By Christopher Robbins in News on October 22, 2011 3:25 PM

Comments [rss]

Private Investigator

55 Broadway, NY, NY is where they have all terminal and where they all sit next to each other monitoring your actions...

Private Investigator

People are fools if they don't believe Michael Bloomberg(the mayor)Commissioner Kelly, and executives from Wall street corporations don't conspire to conduct illegal behavior on many occasions. Watching civilians activities is nothing new.
ConsultAPI.com

remyngtin

Public education spending + 365% after inflation over the last 40 years with zero growth in enrollment and lower scores for children ... good job

LICnative

It must be pretty hard following all those teachers around. They're off more than they're working.

GalBklyn

I'll say it again. NYPD: out of control. (and they don't give a rat's a**).

randomtransplant

Spying on a teachers union isn't exactly going to win the hearts and minds of the voting public at time when police brutality is rising as quick as the crime rate.

UFT is a security threat, but Kelly & Bloomburg aren't?

Gimmie a break.

aspiringrapper

United Federation of TeacheRs. Way to flaunt your education, Gothamist.

Guest

Do you really expect The Gothamist to use spell check?

Unkle_Bob

That IS a busy area of Broadway. I'd be shocked NOT to see police cars there.

sharpshoota

As opposed to the quiet areas of Broadway....give me a break.

cr17

If OWS has nothing to hide, as they claim they don't, then who cares?

luke_1

You're right, Stalin.

gaelic47

Because it's our right as American citizens to not have to constantly prove that we're innocent, as guaranteed to us............Hey, stop nodding off asshat, this is important.

chee1rs

they're so paranoid

remyngtin

they are idiots

petey2

maybe it's the pot.

schmeep

Yeah, I mean, they'd never spy on anyone, even though they have a spy unit that's come under recent controversy, right? And they would of course come out and admit they are spying on the UFT if they are.