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We are the 99 percent

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

Posted 12 years ago on March 21, 2012, 1:33 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

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.

17 Comments

17 Comments


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[-] 5 points by Odin (583) 12 years ago

I would like to thank the NYPD cop for breaking the glass door while smashing a proteser against it. There is no doubt in my mind that people will not put up with that kind of brutality directed mostly at their sons and daughters....hence this wonderful march up-town.

[-] 5 points by Bighead1883 (285) 12 years ago

It sounds like it`s time to bring a test case up against one of these policemen.Just as the police kettle protesters and pick them off one by one the same needs to be done about their illegal action.There is certainly enough video evidence to proceed.

[-] 1 points by jph (2652) 12 years ago

Agreed we have lots of lawyers in OWS, so lets see some charges filed against the worst offenders here. What better use of all that video evidence, and our crowd sourced intelligence system. This teaches the police that we will not toleration needless brutality and abuses of power. This has to be done, quickly.

[-] 3 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

Watching this for half an hour has me convinced the NYPD has no clue what it is doing. Crappy metal barrier around the Wall St. Bull. Then when that's torn down have the police awkwardly form a human barricade in front of a multi-ton bronze sculpture. What the heck are they trying to accomplish?

They're only a little better organized than the crowd they're trying to control.

[-] 1 points by jph (2652) 12 years ago

They are protecting the sacred cow! Idolaters, plan and simple. We need to teach them that they live in a community of people. A community that remembers and always seeks justice.

[-] 2 points by RonHamilton (19) 12 years ago

The crash course and the citizens arrest is the best article.

[-] 2 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

Better idea of route and destination. Use police scanners and also have a few people act as observation/ scouting.

Operating in a disorganized matter like this opens things up for the police to make bad decisions. You essentially give them the only say in events if they decide to bring in adequate manpower.

[-] 2 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

Tip Occupiers. Police scanners are your friend. There are even websites that serve the function so you don't have to buy the hardware. That way you know what's coming.

That way if the police decide to do something stupid you are not relying on numbers and high emotions.

There's no real reason the crowd should be dispersed. Its only blocking roads and slowing down commuters a few minutes. However I just have the feeling the police are going to attempt to assert control and cause things to escalate.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Responsibility and accountability. No one is above the law. Something this country needs to get a handle on.

No you can not make and enforce a law that goes against the constitution. That is what is referred to as being unconstitutional.

Simply put States and Cities and Towns, Burroughs, Municipalities, Justice Departments, NO ONE can make laws to supersede the constitution.

Period.

So understand if it is unconstitutional it is illegal.

This is another reason that corporations want personhood and also want to dismantle the constitution. They want to use the one to accomplish the other.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

FILM THE POLICE (We the people are the only media we got).

Posted 1 day ago on Jan. 10, 2012, 7:12 p.m. EST by booksgamesvideos (46) This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Love it! This song pays tribute to N.W.A.'s infamous "F*ck the Police," serving as a call to action for the digitized media movement while responding to the recent explosion of police brutality all across the world.

MUSIC VIDEO - http://youtu.be/hyT1buoyTnY

B. Dolan - "FILM THE POLICE" ft. Toki Wright, Jasiri X, Buddy Peace, Sage Francis

http://occupywallst.org/forum/film-the-police-we-the-people-are-the-only-media-w/

[-] 1 points by Bighead1883 (285) 12 years ago

New financial legislation bill pass the lower house in Australia.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-22/financial-services-legislation-passes-lower-house/3907138

[-] 1 points by RonHamilton (19) 12 years ago

The General Petraeus will provide back-up soon against the police.

[-] 1 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

Also bridges are easily sealed chokepoints. Avoid them.

[-] 1 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

I'm not sure if the guy who just got hit was the one I thought it was, but that was stupid. The police should also know enough to know something like that should happen.

Sending a small police force right into the crowd like that is just plain stupid and dangerous. Who the heck is directing the police? That individual is a moron.

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[-] 1 points by JohnQProtester (17) 12 years ago

And the stupid police escalate the situation.

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[-] 0 points by jspydr (3) 12 years ago

Home watching it live....debating if I should hope on the train and join. Hmmmm

[-] 1 points by jph (2652) 12 years ago

I usually hope the train is on time, and hop on. lolz

Yes, you should go down town and get involved!

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