3/21 Live Updates, crash course on civil liberties for the NYPD

Note: NYPD crash course on civil liberties is at bottom, live updates are at the top.

Are you on the ground? Do you have information about events on the ground? Text +1 (772) 646-4548 with intel!

Live updates:

12:19 AM: Occupiers discussing whether to simply march to a new park.

12:13 AM: Union Square, a public park owned by the people is now barricaded similarly to last night. Instead of enforcing the law and guaranteeing use of public property they are instead obstructing it.

12:10 AM: Occupiers chanting "Circle the park!"

12:09 AM: The NYPD is beyond confused. The march appears to have taken them by surprise.

12:03 AM: Whiteshirted officer of the NYPD using a flashlight to try and blind streaming cameras. Marching beginning. NYPD does not have the agility to follow!

12:02 AM: NYPD has not yet made arrests. Barricades are being dragged out. Tim guesses that they are using barricades to conduct a mass arrest. Chants and shouts followed a countdown until midnight.

11:59 PM: In the next 60 seconds, the NYPD will face the choice of whether to continue to exist as an organization, or to cement its own immediate dissolution.

11:54 PM: NLG is saying 500 police present.

11:51 PM: Community Affairs attempting to order people to leave the park. Why do we have to leave the park? We own this park. Reports of a pre-commandeered bus waiting for mass arrests.

11:49 PM: Several hundred NYPD are gathering in the park, assumably to admit defeat and engage in violent repression. You were warned, NYPD.

11:34 PM: NYPD gathering at both sides of the park in loose, sloppy lines. Tonight, the NYPD has a choice to make. Every failing regime has the choice whether to engage in civil dialogue and negotiate the terms of its surrender, or to engage in brutal, violent repression. The NYPD is warned that its actions tonight will be seen by the whole world, and that should the NYPD choose violent repression, that it will have admitted its own defeat and surrendered all authority to use force.

11:24 PM: Unconfirmed reports of another thousand people inbound to Union Square. Officers reported talking amongst themselves stating that there will be arrests. Police, is your job not to enforce law, not make it? Under what justification can you quota arrests on peaceful protesters? I suggest that you read the crash course again, maybe you didn't get it the first time.

11:23 PM: Roughly 100 NYPD in north park, according to ground intel.

11:01 PM: Massive NYPD presence at Union, flashing patrol car lights as far as the eye can see. Obvious show of force is still pathetic versus the strength of an idea. When will the NYPD understand that the raised fist is stronger than the swung baton?

10:57 PM: Former NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly has been spotted in Union Square in a windbreaker.

10:44 PM: Police bus reported to be on scene. Send help! Come help!

10:33 PM: Reports coming in 1,500 in Union Square, more marches incoming.

10:24 PM: Two more groups converging at Union Square, according to stream. Verify?

10:16 PM: Occupiers chanting "No justice? No peace!"

9:55 PM: I have my wi-fi back, will add updates from intel reports between later on.

8:20 PM: I am losing wi-fi, back in a bit.

8:19 PM: March is currently at Prince and Lafayette.

8:17 PM: Chants of "Shut it down!" Indeed, shut it all down!

8:16 PM: People hanging out windows banging pots and chanting in support. We are the people! Taxis are honking their horns in support!

8:15 PM: Reported full three blocks of NYC ground to a halt.

8:14 PM: Broadway group has turned on Vaughn, rejoined together the marches.

8:13 PM: Unable to independently verify. Receiving reports of 6,000+ in Union Square! Bring your friends, bring your family, bring everyone to come see and participate in the American Spring!

9:11 PM: March has been split into two.

8:09 PM: March has gone on to Lafayette Street. Numbers are swelling, beyond counting at this point. This definitely looks like a new 9/24. With any hope, the NYPD learned from 9/24. Given last night's brutality, this is unlikely.

8:01 PM: NYPD attempted to seal off Union Square by netting corners and streets. It didn't work. March has left Union Square along Broadway.

7:57 PM: NYPD has closed the Union Square subway station again. Unknown how many commuters have had their freedom of movement constricted.

7:53 PM: March has re-entered Union Square.

7:51 PM: NYPD plant is wearing "81 Cardinals outfit", seen walking with NYPD and talking extensively before joining crowd.

7:48 PM: Someone is drumming out their window to show support!

7:45 PM: March has turned on to Broadway, according to reports. Still strong, still proud.

7:44 PM: The march has turned up 5th against traffic.

7:40 PM: Sorry about the delay, I had trouble getting wireless signal to my laptop. In the time I was away, the march has moved. Reports are coming in of the march beginning at 2,500 people, and swelling upwards to 3,500 people in solidarity. The march is encountering much of the same attempts at repression as the 9/24 police riot did, where police are attempting to block streets. Last I have received, 7th street is illegally blockaded by the NYPD in an attempt to stop the mass of people. Remember, people flow like water. You cannot stop us, Raymond Kelly. You will resign.

6:15 PM: Hundreds have gathered in Union Square, chants ongoing of "No justice, no peace!"

6:11 PM: On another note, if you have intelligence about things that are happening on the ground you may also post them in the comments here. We will be updating as best we can.

5:59 PM: Welcome to the live updates, this space will be updates as events on the ground unfold. Are you on the ground? If you can, get on the Freenode IRC channel #occupywallst and keep us informed if the streams go down!

NYPD crash course:

Because many NYPD police officers appear confused about what they can and cannot do, as evidenced by their routine brutality and riotous actions, this document has been produced on fundamental human rights.

Under the first amendment of the United States Constitution, free speech, assembly, and association is guaranteed. This applies to all government owned property, including both public parks and streets. Therefore, assembly at any time in any park, or on any street for the purpose of speech is Constitutionally protected. Therefore, you are not authorized to interfere with such actions. When your superior officers erroneously order you to, do keep in mind that you are being ordered to violate the law, which places you subject to citizen's arrest by the victims of the crime you are being ordered to commit.

On the same note, established procedures are in place for the creation of law. In the United States of America, laws are drafted, debated, and finalized by legislatures. You therefore, are not authorized to simply make up laws that don't exist. Without an existing law which specifically authorizes you to prevent a certain action, you are not authorized to act, period. If you attempt to physically stop someone from proceeding along an action, you have committed the crime of assault, and are subject to people's arrest.

It is a historically accepted fact that simply following orders from above does not absolve you personally of responsibility. It did not work for the Nuremberg defense, it didn't work in a number of trials related to Vietnam and police brutality, and claiming superior orders will not work for you if you try to get out of having to use your judgement.