The NYPD has arrested almost 2,000 protesters since the Occupy Wall Street movement began, and some of those arrested have refused to go the usual route taken by demonstrators. Typically, someone arrested for disorderly conduct at a protest will agree to an ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal), which means that the charges are dropped after six months if the individual stays out of trouble (or whatever our police state considers "trouble" these days). But some of those arrested are refusing the routine plea deal and are demanding a trial, because they insist the charges are bogus. And yesterday, prosecutors decided to back down and drop the charges against 21 of them. more ›

Two months after Zuccotti Park was forcibly evicted by the NYPD, the metal barricades and constant security presence remain, making the space less like a public park and more like a frozen zone. Today the NYCLU, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the NLG fired off a letter [pdf] to Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri asking him to "ensure that Zuccotti Park is open and accessible to all members of the public on an equal basis." more ›

A member of the Occupy Wall Street press team says police in Grand Central Terminal arrested at least one protester for shouting with the "people's mic," the movement's patented call-and-response method for amplifying a speaker's words without a megaphone. Tweeting from Grand Central, Jeff Smith says, "I heard the NYPD say 'if she does it one more time [mic checks] go get her.' Arrest happened seconds later. No warning." Jeez, we didn't realize being annoying was illegal! Here's video of one protester getting dragged out: more ›

The NYPD's controversial spying programs don't just include "sending undercover officers into ethnic and Muslim neighborhoods to act like 'a human camera' and 'map the human terrain' in mosques, hookah bars, and Internet cafes." Turns out they also involve flat out spying on college students. And students, faculty and legal experts are, understandably, furious. The multi-year police operation violates U.S. privacy laws and could jeopardize millions of dollars in federal research money and student aid. more ›

"The NYPD has been spying on entire neighborhoods based solely on who lives there and what their religious beliefs are,” Udi Ofer of the NYCLU said yesterday, just as NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly was grilled by City Council members during an "often adversarial" hearing. "We know the NYPD is watching us: the question is, who is watching the NYPD?" That's a good question! The City Council does not have the power to subpoena the NYPD for its intelligence records, and the Federal government—which has invested more than $1.6 billion in the NYPD since 9/11—has no authority to monitor its intelligence operations, either. Don't worry, it's the honor system! more ›

Pro tip: Don't talk back to New York City cops. Just don't. Yes, you have every right to do so, but they also have the power to arrest you for whatever—call it "disorderly conduct"— and send you "through the system" down in the Tombs for a day or two. Best to just silently accept the police state—such was the lesson learned by one Douglas Brown, a 41-year-old Bronx Mormon who was stopped by police for drinking a Snapple in a brown paper bag in the passenger seat of his friend's minivan. After showing the officer what he was drinking, he made the mistake of venting his frustration by asking the cop, "You got nothing better to do?" Why yes, as a matter of fact: sending a message to a disrespectful Mormon! more ›

Days after the NYPD announced plans to expand their anti-terror surveillance network to a huge swath of midtown, it's been revealed that the department is also quickly amassing a vast database of cell phone users. Officers have been instructed to remove suspects' cell phone batteries when making an arrest, for the twofold purpose of "avoiding leakage" and also documenting the phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity number [IMEI]. The IMEI number is registered with the service provider whenever a call is made, and can be used to connect the dots between suspects. Naturally, the NYCLU is pissed. more ›

-- Looks like the political tide around the Atlantic Yards is starting to shift: first Marty Markowitz called for size reductions, and now David Yassky has come out in favor of reducing the scale of the project. more ›