Gothamist had to work tirelessly for nearly eight years to obtain official NYPD-issued press credentials. During that time, we learned a few things that might come in handy if you have to go through the process. The NYPD has asked us for feedback about clarifying some of these issues on the official press pass application form—if and when we finish that process with them, we'll update this post. more ›

Poor tobacco companies can't advertise on TV, and persecuted smokers can't even enjoy their fine line of carcinogenic products in most places in New York—and now the government wants to bogart the space on their cigarette packages with graphic ads to remind customers about the consequences of their actions. Luckily for Big Tobacco, they've got Judge Richard J. Leon in their corner. Yesterday the George W. Bush appointee blocked a federal requirement that would have forced U.S. tobacco companies to put big graphic images on their cigarette packages. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg's response to groups upset they've been forced to stop holding religious services out of schools? Deal with it. After being backed up by federal courts, New York finally kicked religious groups out on Sunday and Mayor Bloomberg was not apologetic about it. But unlike when he was talking about pedophiles in schools, Bloomberg seems on the right side of this argument. more ›

Apparently the Supreme Court's decision is not good enough to the NY State Legislature when it comes to allowing religious groups to worship in city schools. Last June, the U.S. Second Circuit of Appeals ruled that NYC public schools can prohibit religious services, and the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, letting the Second Circuit's decision stand. But, still, the State Senate will consider a bill to allow religious services in schools. And the NYCLU wants to remind lawmakers why it's a terrible idea. more ›

Reporters Without Borders has released their annual Press Freedom Index cataloguing the most and least-journalism friendly countries in the world, and the United States dropped 27 places, to #47. According to the report, the U.S. "owed its fall of 27 places to the many arrests of journalist [sic] covering Occupy Wall Street protests." Wait, we didn't see anything of that nature happening! more ›

Lawyers representing Occupy Wall Street have dropped their appeal of a judge's ruling on November 15th barring camping at Zuccotti Park. The Post reports that the attorneys were due to file the appeal on Friday, but instead notified the court that they wouldn't pursue it. Randy Mastro, the attorney representing downtown businesses and residents hailed the decision. "There will no longer be the ability to set up an encampment for 24 hours a day in what's supposed to be a park, with neighbors' lives torn asunder and unable to enjoy their downtown surroundings." A city attorney concurred: "We think the plaintiff made the right move in withdrawing her case, as it has no merit." more ›

On Tuesday, several protesters with Occupy Wall Street were arrested during a demonstration in Grand Central Terminal. The first to be arrested was Lauren Digioia, who like the others was yelling in protest of the National Defense Authorization Act, which contains an amendment authorizing the military to detain American citizens indefinitely without due process. This new video shows her arrest in much greater detail, with the videographer following along as MTA police lead her downstairs. Once she disappears from sight in the basement, her boyfriend, Zach Kamel, raises his voice, along with other protesters, to express his outrage. Care to guess what happens to him? more ›

As we mentioned last week, a group of activists (and possibly reporters) are planning to protest outside Mayor Bloomberg's Upper East Side townhouse (or as close as they can get) today, to express their dissatisfaction with the NYPD's recent treatment of journalists covering Occupy Wall Street. The demonstration comes on the heels of a video showing NY Times Metro reporter blasting a cop for threatening to revoke his press credentials on New Year's Eve. Here's a much better video clip of the altercation, just sent to us today. Moynihan locks horns with the cop at the 6:15 mark, and it's pretty terrific: more ›

Are lap dances considered legitimate artistic expression? 75 year-old University of Maryland professor Judith Hanna believes so, and she testified as much in state court for Nite Moves, an Albany-area strip club that is seeking exemption from the state's sales tax that other purveyors of "dramatic or musical performances" receive on cover charges. If Patrick Henry High's Joan Henderson is reading this: Scores WAS a legitimate detour on that 10th grade field trip. more ›

Though their presence may be somewhat diminished, Occupy Wall Street's drummers continue to exercise their First Amendment rights to annoy the hell out of Upper East Siders as part of a 24-hour jam session. more ›

[Updates below] Mayor Bloomberg's deep, sacred bond with the First Amendment will be tested today at 2 p.m. when Occupy Wall Street's drummers will begin a 24-hour "JAM SESSION" outside his townhouse mansion on East 79th Street. A release proclaims, "Tie-dye, didgeridoo, hackeysack welcome! No shirt, no shoes, no problem! And if you don't have talent, don't worry: FREE DRUM LESSONS offered! Also on offer: collaborative drumming with the police!" Nothing makes that bass drum boom like a baton. more ›

A NJ mother is extremely unhappy about the hubbub over her middle schooler's suspension, which she believes is related to her child's Confederate Flag clothing. So the next step is obviously threatening a lawsuit: Jane West tells the Times of Trenton that she wants "the school to formally apologize to her daughter, rescind her suspension and grant the teen permission to attend school outside the district." West warns, "If I can’t get those things I’m suing." more ›

Proving that Mayor Bloomberg enjoys dancing on the razor's edge of public opinion, Hizzoner told reporters yesterday that he doesn't believe the Occupy Wall Street tents set up in Zuccotti Park are considered protected speech. "I'm 100 percent in favor of protecting—1,000 percent in favor—of giving people rights to say things, but also we have to protect those who don't want to say anything," Bloomberg said. more ›

A group of attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild just fired off a letter (below) to Brookfield Properties, which has thus far refused to negotiate with demonstrators occupying Zuccotti Park. At press time, Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD have given no indication that they are persuaded by the protesters' DIY cleanup, and the stage is set for mass arrests tomorrow morning (or maybe in the dead of night, if Boston is any indication). Bloomberg spokesman Marc La Vorgna just sent this statement: more ›

In July, a federal judge blocked NYC's law that requires "crisis pregnancy centers" to disclose whether they offer abortions and whether there's licensed medical care. Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) usually set up near Planned Parenthood offices, stopping women who are headed to Planned Parenthood and tell them, "We can do a free ultrasound and help you with prenatal care, all you have to do is say yes to life." But CPCs are not licensed medical providers. more ›

Those protesting corporate greed on Wall Street today should be careful about what they say to their comrades: the NYPD placed at least one undercover officer in a demonstration supporting Park 51 held on September 11, 2010. The Daily News learned of "UC 242's" participation in the rally during a discussion that Manhattan prosecutors had in court about a conflict of interest posed in the "synagogue terrorists" trial. UC 242 received a summons for not showing NYPD his badge, which he did "to maintain his cover…to build solidarity with protestors," a lawyer for the defense team says. more ›

As the protests against corporate greed and the "occupation" of the Financial District continues for a third day, at least seven demonstrators have been arrested. According to Bloomberg News, two were arrested for trying to enter a Bank of America building, another for jumping a police barrier, and four more for "wearing masks in violation of a law that bars two or more participants from doing so." This law dates back to 1845 in the Anti-Rent era—a time when a wealthy few owned feudal-esque leases to maintain control of tenants. Absolutely nothing like today! more ›

We knew those delightfully litigious purveyors of smooth, bold flavors wouldn't let us down. Five major tobacco companies have filed a lawsuit against the FDA claiming that the historic 2009 legislation that allows the agency to regulate tobacco violates the First Amendment by requiring those cheesy, not-so-graphic warning labels on cigarette packs. Attorney for the plaintiffs, the esteemed Floyd Abrams, tells CNN, "We think it violates the First Amendment for the government to require people who purchase a lawful product to essentially urge prospective purchases not to buy it." more ›

A federal judge blocked a recently passed law that requires "crisis pregnancy centers" to disclose whether they offer abortions and whether there's licensed medical care. Judge William Pauley called the law "unconstitutionally vague," noting, "This court presumes a threat of irreparable harm to plaintiffs’ first amendment rights." more ›

Back in January, the Parks Department sent out a letter to its employees with the stern warning that, "No matter how short or simple the answer may seem, employees must not engage in conversation about Parks to those who identify themselves as reporters." That controversial directive, which the NYCLU argued violated worker's First Amendment rights, have now been clarified. more ›

In 2007, Burlington, CT high school student Avery Doninger was a 16-year-old with a blog and big ambitions to serve as class secretary during her senior year. But when principal Karissa Niehoff canceled the school's popular battle-of-the-bands concert called "Jamfest," Doninger excoriated Niehoff on her blog, calling her a "douchebag" and urging students to bombard her with emails. And in one click of a mouse, her political aspirations were ruined—as payback, Niehoff refused to let Doninger serve as class secretary, a position Doninger won as a write-in candidate after Niehoff tossed her off the ballot. Now, over three years later, an appeals court has upheld the school's actions, to the delight of every d-bag administrator in America. more ›

In a 39-9 vote, with one abstention, the City Council passed a bill to bring more transparency to women's health services. Specifically, it is targeted at "crisis pregnancy centers" to clearly state they do not provide abortions and do not provide licensed medical care. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, "The goal of this bill is to ensure that women are fully informed and not deceived. Women need to know, they have a right to know, whether they are consulting with a licensed medical provider." more ›

You may recognize Brooklyn Senator Eric Adams from such campaigns as "Stop The Sag" and "Hey, You Stole My Seat," but today he's here to talk to you about guns and drugs. Specifically, how your children are using them all the time, and how all that stuff in your house just lets them hide them easier. But there is hope! Adams reminds parents in a YouTube video (below), "There is no Fourth Amendment or First Amendment or any amendment right inside your household." Here's where your kids are keeping their contraband: more ›

Manhattan federal Judge Richard Sullivan (who joined the court in 2007 after being nominated by President George W. Bush) issued a ruling today upholding the arrests of two diehard anti-abortion activists for protesting near Madison Square Garden during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Apparently, protesters Michael Marcavage and Steven Lefemine (here's the latter's freaky anti-abortion website) wouldn't submit to the specially designated "demonstration area" on Eighth Avenue, and tried to get over to Seventh Avenue to chastise Bush for killing fetuses. more ›