Cindy Was NOT Arrested >

[Stephanie]

I spoke to the peace people at Union Square around 6:00 tonight. The woman running the information table said they had a permit to be there, but did not have one for the amplified microphone.

They had been issued a permit for the microphone and amp for a "speak out" event on Saturday. On Sunday, there were six bands playing in Union Square for a promotional event for the magazine Time Out New York.

However, the peace groups applied for and were denied a microphone and amp permit for today. She didn't know the reason, or if there was a reason given.

She said today, when Cindy started speaking on the microphone, the police moved in and arrested Zool, the organizer. And they confiscated the mike and amp.

Cindy Sheehan left with her group and was not arrested.

While I was there, someone was speaking, on the peace group's back-up system - another mike and a smaller amp. This was around 6:00 tonight.

The whole thing sounds pretty well thought out to me. Once they denied the permit they could shut it down at any time they wanted.

[koopie57]

1. why would the police

wait until the end of a peaceful gathering to start causing trouble?

And the law officers, are they not just poorly paid grunts like the rest of us? Do they not have kids and family in Iraq? And are they not struggling to pay their bills and buy gas like us? And don't they feel shame at what happened to the poor and helpless in NO? Why would they go after peaceful protesters who are in the same boat as they? Why would they eat their own? I don't understand this.

We pay their salaries. And they are one of us. I could understand if things started getting out of hand and they needed to step in to avoid trouble, but why go after us. They are one of us no?

This worries me. Do I not understand something?

[Stephanie]

2. They do what they are told to do.

And Bloomberg does what he's told. He's Bush's Boytoy.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Its been that way thoughout history

Some people are born followers. They just do what they are told. They do not weigh the issues, nor apply their conscience or free will.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. It depends on the training of the police department too

and NYC is not known to receive very good training in the oh the bill of rights.

Here in the town I live, well California requires officers to receive extensive training in the bill of rights... before you mention Los Angeles, they do their own training and pay for their liability, no LA Cop is certified outside of LA...

Here in San Diego, as long as you listen if they ask you to move, usually it is for your protection, such as traffic, and keep it peaceful they don't care. We have had plenty in the city and the cops are wonderful. For the mike and amplifier once we had them, they pointed out that for next time we should get a permit from the PD and gave us the contact point... but as long as you overall listen they will quietly observe...

Oh and I got to see the training, as my hubby just went through the academy. If you wonder it reminded me of a very intense graduate college course, with running to boot.

[Stephanie]

17. This seemed tactical to me

They allowed them a permit on Saturday, but when Cindy was coming they denied it. Then they had a pretext to shut down the event and silence her.

[genieroze]

18. NYC Police Shut Down Cindy Sheehan Speech

NYC Police Shut Down Cindy Sheehan Speech

The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 20, 2005; 9:23 AM

NEW YORK -- Police cut short a speech by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and arrested a rally organizer, saying he hadn't obtained a permit for use of a loudspeaker.

Sheehan, the grieving mother whose 26-day vigil near President Bush's Texas ranch sparked anti-war protests around the country, had nearly finished her speech Monday when police intervened.


Supporters ushered her away from the rally at Manhattan's Union Square park as onlookers yelled at police and chanted "Let her speak!"

Rally organizer Paul Zulkowitz was charged with unauthorized use of a sound device and disorderly conduct. He was given a court summons and released, said Detective Kevin Czartoryski.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/20/AR2005092000521.html

[AnnInLa]

3. thanks for the info

[walldude]

5. THanks for the clarification.. n/t

[oasis]

6. kick

[mikehiggins]

7. The story seems unlikely

This is an election year. Bloomberg is NOT going to allow his cops to make a political faux-pas like that.

[oasis]

8. kick

[savannahana]

9. kick

[ladylibertee]

10. KICK

[mogster]

12. Greatest!

*ping* :hi:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

13. By the way...

...the organiser was issued a court summons and then released.

[Alamom]

14. Thans for the clarification. n/t

[terip64]

15. kick

[Stephanie]

16. Here is the NY Times article >

Thanks for the kicks everyone.

An Antiwar Speech in Union Square Is Stopped by Police Citing Paperwork Rules

BY SHADI RAHIMI
Published: September 20, 2005

An antiwar speech by Cindy Sheehan, the mother of an American soldier killed in Iraq, was cut short yesterday after the organizer of the event was arrested and police officers confiscated his audio equipment.

The claps and cheers that had greeted Ms. Sheehan's arrival at the rally in Union Square quickly turned to furious chants of "Let her speak!" as officers ushered away the organizer, Paul Zulkowitz, who the police said lacked audio permits for the event.

Angry activists followed officers as they led Mr. Zulkowitz away, waving their fists and shouting, "Shame, shame, shame." Ms. Sheehan, who was visiting New York on the last leg of a bus tour across the country, was nearing the end of her speech when the police officers arrested Mr. Zulkowitz. She was whisked to a car by two supporters just before the police officers seized the microphone. Mr. Zulkowitz was arrested because he did not have a permit, said the commanding officer of the 13th Precinct, Inspector Michael J. McEnroy.

Detective Kevin Czartoryski said Mr. Zulkowitz was charged with unauthorized use of a sound device and disorderly conduct, and was released after being given a court summons.

Detective Czartoryski said the police had taken the "appropriate action" in response to a lawbreaker.

<more>

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/20/nyregion/20sheehan.html