Video: Cops Arrest Activist For Yelling About NDAA In Grand Central
Three protesters were arrested and four issued summonses yesterday in Grand Central Terminal, where approximately 150 demonstrators formed a "flash mob" to protest President Obama's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA], a military spending bill that also authorizes the military to detain American citizens indefinitely without due process. Obama signed it in Hawaii on New Year's Eve, and it hasn't gotten that much attention in the media, but some people at least are a little alarmed about this, and they were expressing their outrage during rush hour yesterday. In this video, protester Lauren Digioia gets arrested around the two minute mark:
Digioia, who has been involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement for some time (and was sexually assaulted in Zuccotti Park in October) was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. According to MTA rules, conduct that qualifies as disorderly includes behaving "in any manner which may cause or tend to cause annoyance, alarm or inconvenience to a reasonable person or create a breach of the peace."
So Digioia was presumably arrested for causing said "annoyance"—and while we can all agree that the OWS "people's mic" is annoying—it's interesting that the others who were raising their voices to repeat her words were not also arrested. It's unclear how Digioia's "disorderly conduct" differed from the other yelling demonstrators, except for the obvious fact that she was leading them to yell about NDAA. It looks like she was essentially arrested for being a political rabble-rouser, which we don't see listed in the MTA's rules of conduct.
The Grand Central demonstration was followed by a General Assembly at a privately-owned public space at 100 William Street, where activists had previously been threatened with arrest for peacefully assembling, despite the space being open to the public (as required by law). Last night, police did not interfere with the meeting, but asked protesters to leave a space open for people to pass through. (They complied.)
City Councilmember Jumaane Williams attended, and tells PolitickerNY, "I came out tonight to observe, to help make sure that the threats to right to assemble and protest are quelled. Council Member Steve Levin, Norman Siegel and I were able to help mediate with the building management and the NYPD to maintain an acceptable balance of everyone’s concerns." [Video via Animal New York]
Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
Take responsibility for your actions, lady. You know you were arrested for causing a disturbance and being a public nuisance. That arresting officer didn't put her in cuffs, because she was talking shit about something Obama signed. Nonsense.
Who_cares_about_this
fuck this site. everybody on this piece of shit site needs to leave. do not bother to reply, as I will never come again.
"and while we can all agree that the OWS "people's mic" is annoying" - please don't speak for me gothamist. i love the peoples mic.
ed_Ex2
Ironically, today is the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.
BIGGENEBLABIEBABY
Type your comment here.If you peasants weren’t so entertaining I would use my influence in the Capitol as industry lobbyist to have your food supply shut off. I do control movement of heat and eats to a large, welfare afflicted, area. Perhaps I will teach YOU what a STRIKE is all about. Starving piggies build not, brick houses. It is high time you learned who actually built America. Ridiculous protesters. Blue haired wretch, no doubt in honor of Mr. Obamas’ lying lips. Feed her to the Mexicans with the rest of our garbage. Let them listen to "Ms. Marge Simpson" "OOO Doo Doo Doo.... cant get no job" "Doo Doo Doo......think I'll hack the internet" "Doo Doo Doo... will get arrested for food" When free speech collides with free burritos we shall see. Show these dogs the whip, NOW. Your pathetic Occupation, ridiculous Anonymous hacksters Gerry Garcia Masked fools. MY IT staff has compiled a data base of you pigs. To be made available in the industry. That no troublemaker shall be employed by ANY railroad, large or small. Hack that Ms. Blueskankberrycommielicious...
jfu222
I suspect that you are not the person you claim to be sir.
nicoffiend
I do believe the "Man" (term-used-loosely here) has some problems on his choo choo train.... http://www.democratandchronicl... a little karma coming his way.....maybe he'll get a lesson as to how to show some respect.
ulrikemeinhof
How does the real person whose name you've appropriated feel about your postings here? You're about to find out.
Does anyone know if Laura DiGoia is still in prison? Is anyone working to get her released? Gothamist promised an update, but I haven't been able to find one. ACLU? Lawyers Guild? Are you helping her?
m015094
....and the NDAA shenanigans continue, For those questioning this Bill, I'd suggest that you read this: http://www.lawfareblog.com/201...
The NYPD will not be raiding your house, nor detaining you indefinitely. I'm not a huge fan of President Obama nor this Bill, but don't let the propaganda get to you.
J_12
If the federal govt took an interest in this arrest (Grand Central is a rail station that serves multiple states, so technically not impossible), this woman could in theory be detained indefinitely with no charges, no legal counsel, and no trial. Regardless of what you think of her or her actions, do you really think that is ok?
Sure, just don't have blue hair and don't get involved in public demonstrations and you'll be ok. But then next year someone decides that smoking in public parks is a terrorist activity, or riding a bicycle after Labor Day.
canofpeas
The "human magaphone" was used in "Mad Max: Thunderdrome" by the semi-retarded tribal children who thought Max was Cap'n Walker.
Don't be a moron. If it's illegal for "normal" people, then it illegal for people in the military. Just because they took it out of the UCMJ doesn't make fucking animals legal.
Coffee Boy
aaaaaaaand america's 1st "black" president has sold you all into a capital militarized dictatorship. obama is not a king & you all know it. this is more than suppression of free speech , in my opinion.
ghhshirley
This was clearly suppression of free speech. I am disgusted.
Why is her history as a sexual assault victim brought up at all? That is completely irrelevant and borders on victim-shaming.
BIGGENEBLABIEBABY
Perhaps these hippie pigs would like a good machine gunning. If they were on MY railroad I would not have allowed such restraint. Blue haired bitch. Reminds me of my CFO's wife.
Rocknrope
I'm sure Ray Martel will find your opinion of his wife scintillating.
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.
Want Gothamist's suggestions on what shows to check out, where to eat, what to buy, where to go for a quick trip? We'll be bringing you some exclusive tips and ideas via email every day! And don't worry—you'll still get a list of our top stories.
Sign up for Gothamist Daily, which will deliver useful tips—plus Gothamist's most popular stories—to your inbox at 11 a.m. This way, you'll be able to plan your week or month as well as catch up on Gothamist if you've stepped away.
$250 VIP GoogaMooga Tickets: You Would've Gotten More Full Eating The Money
Your Summer 2012 Top 10 Blockbuster Movie Guide!
Photos: Experience "NASA's" Amazing Mission To Mars Inside The Park Ave Armory
7 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC, For Your High-Altitude Drinking Pleasure
White Fence's Tim Presley Talks Recording With Ty Segall, Brooklyn's Blandness, & Peeing With His Cat
24 Magnificent Photos Of Manhattan Peacocks To Take The Edge Off Today
Mike Birbiglia Ate In An Airplane Bathroom, And Other Stories From The Moth Ball
John Hodgman Talks Nick Nolte, His Deranged Mustache, & How Money Buys Happiness
Videos: Mourning And Celebrating Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch
Photos: Police And Protesters Clash By Wall Street After Euphoric May Day March
