Early this morning as the Pussy Riot verdict was handed down in Russia (the women were sentenced to two years in prison for "hooliganism"), women, men and children around the world voiced their support at a series of protests and marches. And as we reported earlier, about an hour after New Yorkers began to gather near the Russian Consulate, the NYPD began making arrests.
At least three, and more likely six people were arrested—we're waiting for the NYPD to confirm the official number, but one person on the scene says that 3 men and 3 women were arrested (of the around 40 people in attendance). These protesters did not remove their balaclavas when the NYPD demanded they remove their masks. As we learned after some OWS arrests last year, "wearing masks is in violation of a law that bars two or more participants from doing so." The law dates back to 1845.
Photographer Alec Tabak was on the scene today as the remaining supporters made their way to Times Square, and reported back, "A few dozen protestors entered Times Square... Just a few officers escorted them. They stayed out of the street, didn't jaywalk. Upon reaching the island between 44th and 45th, one protestor broke into a song in Russian; the Naked Cowboy joined in long enough for a photo op, then split."
