#D12: NYPD aggression turns a peaceful dance party into a police riot (Part 1)

[hanslol]

Holy shit the US is SO incredibly fucked up.

[kawola17]

This was the first time I saw the movement take a strategic move. They actually left! I think the Occupists would fare much better if they became even more organized and all left at the same time when instructed and move somewhere else. Something like, "BERGADE, LET'S MOVE OUT!" And then they occupy somewhere else while making the cops standing there look like idiots.

[darkhorseman81]

@kawola17 If you move off as a group they kettle you and corral you into closed places. Then arrest or beat you. Or slowly break stragglers/small groups out of the main group and arrest them. Moving to a new location isn't always viable. Also if a group moves along the street you can get charged with obstructing the sidewalks. And if you move off the sidewalk(often when police order you to move on to the road) they instantly jump you and arrest you for being on the road.

[pepperjack8]

This looks like middle eastern wedding party.

[rober1236jua]

@ThereAreIdiots Your comments have substance? Where is that? I have only read you find the protest wrong for dancing around again and again, then lodge insults. You just repeat again and again, without substance or even logic that the protest is wrong. That the protest was violent because you say it was violent, relentless mindless drill of a mixture of inflexibility and insults pretty common of the entire right these days.

[robK1320]

@feeney57 I think you misunderstand me. I do not support harassment and other forms of intimidation; however, the movement as a whole (and the video above) do not represent the dirtbag image you are attempting to convey. I know many ppl involved and they are intelligent, respectful, passionate individuals who want to help change life in this world. The 99% and the 1% all struggle with drug dependency, gathering of people will have spectrum (bell curve likely) of "types" of people. I'm wide awake

[feeney57]

@robK1320 The majority of the dirtbags in Liberty Plaza (no one in NYC calls it Zuccotti Park) had no clue what they even wanted. They saw a chance to experience the 60's and 70's that they missed. There were a large number of Dirtbags along with the trust-fund kids that just want to rebel.They wasted everyone's time and money. They are selfish through and through. Do they care that these incidents put people in danger? NO

[rober1236jua]

@feeney57 Wow real respect for free speech there big guy. You call some people dirt bags, disapprove of how you their motivations (not what they say) and suddenly the Constitution is out the window. Fascism always wears the same face.

[MechanizedCaffeine]

@ThereAreIdiots "Have nothing intellectual to say"? I'm still waiting for you to give an intellectual answer to my original question.

While we're on the subject though; if you want to draw attention to an abusive police state it seems perfectly sensible to me that you would engage in benign behavior (in this case dancing in a semi-public space) knowing that it will draw an irrational amount of state-violence down upon you.

Oh, and you should work on capitalizing your "i"s before mocking others.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@MechanizedCaffeine

Your original question was answered, albeit sarcastically. I thought the Occupy protests were economic in nature. This entire protest was about the NYPD? Drawing attention to a legitimate abuse is one thing; fabricating it is another. People with tunnel vision only see when police take someone down, not the cause. Yes I failed to capitalize two words, I used the wrong form of "you're" in a previous comment too if you would like to point that out as well.

[robK1320]

@ThereAreIdiots There have been plenty of incidences where the police acted brutally for unwarranted reasons. Look to UC college protests that saw the violent treatment of professors, faculty, and students to the UC-Davis officer who unloaded pepper spray into the faces on nonviolent protesters sending many students to the hospital. NYPD is no exception to the rule - and protesting police brutality has been the cause for more brutality. This is a huge problem and seems designed to squash dissent

[ThereAreIdiots]

@robK1320

Finally a comment from somebody emotionally composed. I never meant to imply that police brutality doesn't exist, I know it does. My issue is with people who attack the police only to cry victim later. Crowds form around officers grabbing at them causing a bigger scene. I agree with the movement but will never support them or the way they act. Those students were the only true peaceful protest I've seen since its beginning. The movement seems confused on what peaceful is.

[MechanizedCaffeine]

@ThereAreIdiots What!?! You didn't invent that concept? My entire life is a lie! What else can possibly be true? Please dear sir, who art thus endowed with such wisdom and clarity, please tell me more about these twisted tactics.

[robK1320]

@feeney57 What for standing up for what they believe in? For taking a risk of being dehumanized, beaten, pepper-sprayed, and arrested? You are the one who needs a good beating. you are a coward Feeney57 - sitting from the comfort of your computer rallying behind the oppression of AMERICANS standing up for YOUR rights. The best thing for the world would be to NOT have peeps like you in it - f*ckin Great German.  where were you during slavery/mccarthyism/etc.? so sad born in wrong time period

[feeney57]

@robK1320 stop being a jackass. Theses malefactors were disrupting a beautiful respite for thousands of battery park residents. They were asked to leave. They refused. They were pushed out. Had the police ruffed them up a little I think it might have help educate them on respecting others rights

[robK1320]

@feeney57 LOL a beautiful respite FOR THOUSANDS! serious laughs there buddy. Nonviolent resistance is a means for protest and shouldn't ever be met with violence in a "free" society. The fact you are calling for violence makes YOU the jackass. Most of these protesters understand their rights better than YOU do. Economic inequality and the erosion of our rights has gone on for too long! I stand in solidarity with the OWS movement b/c they stand for me (you and just another 304 million Amer. ppl).

[feeney57]

@robK1320 Yes my seriously misguided friend THOUSANDS. spend a winter's day in the Winter Garden you would see well over a few thousand tourists not to mention the office workers. You stand with the OWS protestors I wish they would stand in a shower every now and then. When these dirtbags were camping two blocks from this incident they were literately shitting and pissing in the streets. If they stand for you------- They stand for you. I prefer people who respect others rights

[robK1320]

@feeney57 You have to admit that their message makes a lot of sense. I can refer you to numerous areas of global injustice that stems from our crony capitalist system. The fact that somebody is standing up to demand some sort of change is a positive in my mind. I agree that they should be more mindful of the places they choose to use as a venue for protest, though I'm sure they had their reasons for choosing the Winter Garden. Facts guide me feeney, empirical evidence and facts guide me.

[robK1320]

@feeney57 nyti*ms/sTlPmT WFC is owned by Brookfield, which also owns Zucotti Park (also dodged the city business taxes from 2006-2009). You obviously have judged an entire movement off of the most extreme individuals of the group (most people don't literally shit or piss in the street in Occupy). Most of the Occupy movements have developed their own ways of running their camps and are very mindful of others rights. Even have rules for occupation, respect, and quiet hours in many camps.

[pboyle270]

*facepalm* seriously...these people. if you break the law you get arrested.

[flagtheif]

have fun being arrested for nothing OWS. Nothing will change and now you all have criminal records lol. So stupid!!

[diceytroop]

@ZueySnugs

1. this video is completely unedited. just a point of information on that one.

2. i've never heard of anyone throwing vinegar in a cop's face here in new york. and why would they call it something else that's just as bad?

i'm super proud of everyone who was there. i love this movement. come join.

[ZueySnugs]

@diceytroop <== Maybe unedited (sorry) but you only get half the truth. The vinegar thing is real, I saw it at Z Park. The cops don't want to arrest them, in fact Ive seen them use amazing restraint with these people. Vinegar "urine" was a tactic they used during their pathetic "day of action" which was aimed at preventing the real 99% from going to work. By "99%" I mean the average person who works to support their family. That's when they lost all sympethy from the average person.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@diceytroop

Do you read the News? That may explain why you haven't heard of the vinegar.

[oldirtymick]

@ZueySnugs So your saying a bunch of people who don't really know each other are able to coordinate themselves into a crowd of people 'acting'??? WRONG

Video edited, NO. Vinegar throwing, NO

You might want to look up the meaning of the word 'terrorist' because you haven't a fucking clue.

And 'media whores'?? Hmmm, strange seeing as the mainstream media outlets give as much attention to the Occupy protests as they do about famine in Africa.

[ZueySnugs]

@oldirtymick <--- Yes, they are extremely coordinated. If they put this much effort into getting a job the economy would be a lot better off. I've seen the vinegar first hand. I work across the street from Z Park. Of course you'll never see that on youtube because you only get a small portion of the truth. They thrive on getting arrested because it's the only way they can get media attention. If they were just passive they would never get noticed. They should take their fight to Congress.

[flagtheif]

@ZueySnugs I agree with you Zuey!!

[Hydz2315]

@ZueySnugs why do i think you are a little piggy?

[GNut1980]

i cant watch these occupy videos any longer.everytime i see one of these cops pushing and shoving people it boils my blood..the next occupy vid i see i hope it has a protester going upside one of these pigs' head with a brick.

[GNut1980]

after the cops perform their little corrupt duties the banksters invite them upstairs for some tea and pork fried rice.

[GNut1980]

you guys pay attention: you see the cops with the jackets that say "NYPD TARU" on it?those are the ones who are recording these protesters faces and taking info from the arrested ones so when the NDDA bill gets passed they can classify them as terrorist!.alert as many people as you can about them

[GNut1980]

if they were armed i wonder if the cops wouldve moved in so fast..i doubt it

[MechanizedCaffeine]

@ThereAreIdiots How do you lobby for redress of grievances if the government no longer gives a fuck about what you have to say?

[ThereAreIdiots]

@MechanizedCaffeine

I don't know, you can always throw a dance party in a private building. That might get you an audience with the government.

[MechanizedCaffeine]

@ThereAreIdiots the police being a part of the government, you are entirely correct. Glad we agree.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@MechanizedCaffeine

You're kidding right- The police may be government employed but that would be NYS government. You would have more luck with a postal worker. But hey, if this whole dance protest doesn't workout you can go back to assaulting officers, trying to shut down the subway to screw every average citizen, protesting naked, blocking traffic, creating propaganda or appearing to be homeless by sleeping on the streets.

[MechanizedCaffeine]

@ThereAreIdiots ooooohhhhhh never thought about the naked thing, thanks! When it comes to civil disobedience you clearly know what you are talking about rather than simply blathering about like an ignoramus ^_^

[FreedomisHistory]

O beautiful for glory-tale

Of liberating strife

When once and twice,

for man's avail

Men lavished precious life!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

Till selfish gain no longer stain

The banner of the free!

[Sadlymissing86]

I bet they would take me away in handcuffs if I occupied my own front yard.

[ZOMGitsJesusCriss]

The last resort of those that hold power is violence to suppress the populace. As long as we stay non-violent, and the oligarchy continues to use violence, the movement will grow. The 0.1% needs to start thinking about their future. Are they going to give up the power that was taken from the people? or are they going to continue to fight? Either way, one day they will lose that power because we aren't going anywhere.

[rober1236jua]

@ThereAreIdiots Screaming at politicians is not a form of protest? Is that also apply for Tea Party storming of town hall meetings, screaming at people in DC during key votes? Or is that different.

[SedonaHealthCoach]

Why do police treat their fellow Americans so badly? Maybe because they can, because there's no one to stop them. We need some police for our police!

[kitten52647]

These are not police officers, they are paid thugs doing the work for criminals. They all should be rounded up and thrown in prison. They are all violating the law.

[WHYNotNews]

Respect for Cameraman... Solidarity from OccupyVermont!

LONG LIVE #OWS!

[steafandubhuidhe]

Where did they get so many ugly cops?

[YamVenture]

So, let's see...the idiots dancing around are trespassing on private property, refuse to leave and some get lawfully arrested. What's the issue?

[alexcurd]

@YamVenture the issue is, my house got burgled a few weeks ago and only two policemen came, two hours after I called-- here, the whole force acts against a bunch of unarmed teenagers... isn't it a bit odd??

[angelofans]

@YamVenture there's no reasoning with these people. Completely illogical and blinded by ideology. It's sad they are the "progressives." CLEARLY the people arrested broke the law. I'm sad by how it's being portrayed as otherwise.

[drpeppa2357]

Is he using a megaphone in the middle of a moving dance circle? Lol Fail

[Scintillations314]

John Knefel! nuuuuuuu

[mrbigberd]

It's crazy when the police say "If you leave now, no charges will be pressed"

If they were evicting the protesters because they broke the law, there would be no guarantee of "we won't press charges"

that guarantee shows that this has nothing to do with law and instead has everything to do with "we are using this law to stop your protests"

Thus, the intent of law enforcement is to stop free speech, not enforce the law.

[rober1236jua]

Its all so oedipal isn't it? Babyboomers had a youth of mass protests, often turning violent on the fact they didn't want to go to a war. As old people the Babyboomers have thrust their heel down on a generation that not only volunteered to go to war, but has finally risen to protest after suffering terrible economic deprivation.

[ThereAreIdiots]

Amazing that these people have the nerve to call these officers names hours after a coworker of theirs was shot in the face. They call them these names and dance in their faces, screaming. They claim to have evidence of police being aggressive using words like "clearly" in their half ass bullshit videos' description. The only thing that is clear is the amoeba responsible for posting this video is unaware of the definition of the word. Scuffles occurring out of camera view is clearly not clear.

[ALPINESWATCHES]

@ThereAreIdiots I recognize the divine within you. You speak the truth and it gives me chills.

[rober1236jua]

@ThereAreIdiots Yah In Amerika we don't take kindly to people dancing in the face of the police state. Yes there are idiots, and fascists as well.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@rober1236jua

I'm not sure where this land of Amerika is located exactly. You can't dance in front of this Amerikan government? Well at any rate- i live in America where luckily we have laws, these laws protect us. Some people have a certain skewed view of these laws and those who enforce them. The people whom have these views are usually criminals themselves and of extremely low class. In America we have optometrists as well. Enjoy your ignorance to its maximum potential.

[rober1236jua]

@ThereAreIdiots Well in America, a nation you actually have no idea about, their is the ultimate law: the Constitution which gives people the right to speak, to peacefully assemble and to petition the government for the redress of grievances. In this Ameirka you have created the rule of law is used to silence a protest movement, which still has not gotten a hearing in the US Congress or meeting with major leaders.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@rober1236jua

You have no idea who i am or what i know of. Any statement to the contrary is beyond ridiculous however, its ludicrousness is comparable with your level of writing skill. Where do you see a protest? What does dancing in a private building accomplish? This is not a peaceful protest much like most of the other Occupy protests. As for leadership and Congressional meetings- Whom should our leaders meet with? Whom if any is an Occupy leader? Stop blaming the NYPD.

[rober1236jua]

@ThereAreIdiots The protests was that thing with the signs you might have noticed. And yes this is a peaceful, nothing being broken, no fires, no guns, no explosions, no attacks. As for meeting Congress, Occupy has a procedure. A liest of spokespeople will go to a General Assembly for say the DC or NYC Occupy, where a vote would be taken to elect reps.

[ThereAreIdiots]

@rober1236jua

No attacks- You're kidding right? The Occupy people are known for harassing officers and baiting them into arrests only to cry foul. It's how they generate sympathy and media attention. Look-up the MLK protests as you seem to be confused on what peaceful is. Close your eyes, you can't honestly picture this as a peaceful protest. Running around a building dancing, acting like a disorganized flash mob is a protest now? It's a nuisance just as the occupy movement has always been.

[dwangelo]

Ridiculous. I know one of those guys arrested, and he's a decent dude, but get real, guys. I love hearing the cameraman say "we have a right to be here!" Sorry, you don't. It's private property. Watch 30 investment bankers show up inside your apartment and see how long until you call the cops.

[ALPINESWATCHES]

you morons, it is no longer about WALL STREET

[ALPINESWATCHES]

this is lame. the battle on america has been declared, and you guys occupy this lobby to dance and make a nuisance of yourselves. where is the revolution in that? it's diversionary tactics, fxk you and your fake movement

[and111nyc]

so cool, you managed to stop people shopping for a morning. smash the system hippies!

[Dacktyl]

Maybe when the banksters come for THEIR pensions the cops will be satisfied with a billionaire meeting them for a beer in their old age? "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. " - General Smedley Butler

[sheltercrow]

Policemen's Benevolent Association? "NY-NJ bridge policeman earns $221,000." Now you know why the Police are on the other side.

"Payroll figures and names released for the first time Friday by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey show 66 police officers have made more than $200,000 so far in 2011, thanks to overtime that in many cases has doubled their salaries."

[hongeorgemartinez]

Clearly we see who NYPD and Port Authority PD work for and its not the people and citizens of NYC! This will not stand....

[Sio99]

Why was it ok for drunk & disorderly Santacon the other day to disrupt business as usual but Occupy movement protesters including a number or journalists arrested? WTF is going on??? There comes a point you have to ask what is the government afraid of us disrupting? I don't think it is the peace, I think it is the status quo.

[Chestnut3499]

Fuck this shit. Fight back. 

[Chestnut3499]

Hey NYPD asshole, you're the only ones that brought weapons to this dance party.

[ALPINESWATCHES]

@Chestnut3499 Get a grip. You are the ones who decided to throw a dance party on someone else's property w/o permission. L U D I C R O U S and classless behavior.

[tomistraver]

@Chestnut3499 im bak

[getsetgo13]

love how the first thing he says in the megaphone is "you are occupying these premises..." DAMN STRAIGHT!!!

[thejorobin]

@getsetgo13 Word. I thought the same thing.

[Jessmabli]

I love how you can't hear a word of what the douchebag with the megaphone says.

[diceytroop]

@Jessmabli Hahah, yeah, except for "you will not be arrested".

[sBissell123]

@diceytroop you will not be arrested if you stop unlawfully occupying the premises... He has to warn them before they make arrests if they choose not to leave. That is obviously private property.

[dwangelo]

@diceytroop you can't hear anything because people are yelling. He says "i am ordering you to leave these premises. If you leave voluntarily, no charges will be placed against you. If you refuse you leave, you will be placed under arrest." he made a good faith effort to notify the crowd (with megaphone) several times. Protesters broke law, arrests will obviously follow. Not sure why this keeps coming as a surprise...

[Panaceamedia]

@dwangelo Constitution usurps law. Where are the arrests of the politicians and bankers and CEOs and BoDs?

[angelofans]

@Panaceamedia The constitution IS law. Where in it does it say you have a right to trespass? Honestly, I am supportive of the cause, but you have to be objective. The whole point is to introduce HIGHER standards. They broke the law, they got arrested. Pretending it was an injustice is ridiculous. You don't have any right to assemble on private property. Read your constitution, perhaps - before denouncing bankers for breaking laws.

[alexcurd]

@angelofans you're right... I only wish the police were as efficient when the common people like you or me have problems... here, the entire NYPD came against a few unarmed teenagers, but two weeks ago, my house was burgled and only two policemen came after a couple of hours, doing nothing, and even blamed me for it... Isn't it a little odd???

[angelofans]

@alexcurd what kind of response do you want for a crime they'll never solve? A crime they can't possibly solve. Thousands of crimes happen every day in the city. They took a few hours because they give priority responding to violent crimes. I'm critical of NYPD too, but I don't have kneejerk protest reactions when, say, the WI governor wants to challenge unionized state employees (aka police)

[Panaceamedia]

@angelofans Illegal entities does not private property make. We are allowed to protest on non-individuals property as well as government property and guilty corporations/bankers/Federal Reserve. Our rights are violated everyday which I've outlined elsewhere. THE PEOPLE are the last check and balance to a corrupt system. The founding fathers would have started shooting long ago.

We've been bullied from the PUBLIC street/areas many times. Cops are violating several amendments.

[angelofans]

@Panaceamedia You're so ignorant, it hurts the cause. So you're allowed to protest on "non-individuals property?" Where do you live? In an apartment owned by a corporation or LLC? Or in a house partially - or entirely - owned by the bank? Post your address and we'll all come over and exercise our "rights." Don't whine about people breaking the law unless you know what the law is.

And corporations are not "illegal entities." Really frustrating seeing a worthy caused co-opted by idiots.

[Panaceamedia]

@angelofans To resort to name calling instead of sharing of information in addition to calling someone ignorant who I guarantee has read more books than you, doesn't say much for you either. Government is not in the position of granting rights, but protecting them. When they grant privileges to corporations for agreeing to certain terms, this is harming regular business, forcing them to become a corporation to compete, thusly the whole process is essentially blackmail, [continued]

[Panaceamedia]

@angelofans [continuing..] spawning corruption. Even ignoring that, any corporation which has violated labor laws, engaged in collusion, racketeering, or bribery is guilty...and when it's connected to our government, we as the people and last check and balance have a right to take it all down. Plus, Gov not allowed to sell much of the property it has to corporations in the first place. We will protest on government and illegal corporations property. FFs would have done worse.

[johnmburt1960]

@diceytroop Also, "You are occupying these premises", to which the reply should have been, "Glad you noticed!"

[Panaceamedia]

@Jessmabli Didn't help that smarty pants goes in the middle of a circle with a directional megaphone lol

[ReachRebecca]

'thejorobin' - very sweet ;p

[rocdad]

Shame Shame Shame, I will never respect NYPD again!

[thejorobin]

I love our OWS family. I wish I could hug each and everyone of them. This coming from a heavily tattooed, traditionally bitter and agro punk anarchist who hates yoga and likes to get drunk and fight. Just sayin'.