Media and Public Shut out of Election Debate at NYU -- Outrageous !!

First City Council Debate among Candidates for Democratic Primary in the 3rd District Race. Debate facility owned and operated by: New York University (19 West 4th Street).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/08/13/public-press-barred-from-_ws_2...
http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/132/ARTICLE/2075/2009-08-13.html
http://bloombergwatch.com/?p=1523
http://www.christinequinn.com/content/media-and-public-shut-out-election-deba...

An over-flow crowd formed outside one of NYU's buildings. Because the venue was so small, and only 5 press passes were issued to cover the re-election of the Speaker of the City Council (this, in a city of over 8 million people), there were more interested people who wanted to get in -- but who were turned away by NYU. At least 2 journalists with media credentials, at least one other freelance reporter, and a long line of undecided voters of Hells Kitchen, Chelsea, and the West Village looked on in complete helplessness as NYU officials turned them away.

This is NOT what democracy looks like !

After several conversations, candidate for NYC Public Advocate Norman Siegel was able to persuade and influence NYU officials to allow a handicapped man in a wheelchair access to attend the debate. But the 3 other reporters, and the rest of the voters, were turned away.

It took the persuasive skills of Mr. Siegel and the video recording by several citizen reporters for NYU to make room for the handicapped man. In essence, you need on your side a mob with at least one brilliant legal mind to change the minds of closed minded public institutions.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Christine Quinn
• NY City Council
• Election Debates
• NYU
• New York University
• Norman Siegel
• Dr. Li-Ann Thio
• Alicia D. Hurley
• Freedom of the Press
• Voting Violations
• Political Debates
• Gay Rights
• LGBT Politicians
• Out Politicians
• Voting Rights

[astoria25]

Shame on NYU ! This is an outrage !!! What kind of contribution are they making to this city if they are turning away citizens from a public debate ? They are oppressing the media's first amendment rights, and the voters' rights to participating in their own democratic government ! Oops, I forgot, this is the same university that wanted to hire Dr. Li-Ann Thio to teach human rights.

[astoria25]

Initially, I, too, was scared of NYPD going in, but now I realise that it was NYU and The Villager newspaper that ran us over; they were the ones that metaphorically tasered us to the ground. Notice how when I confront them with the fact that only 5 media were allowed in, how the NYU officials ran from us. They can't stand it that we were armed with facts ! The truth hurts, doesn't it NYU !? This is a black-eye on your reputation, and I hope everybody watches these videos.

[astoria25]

Closing the doors to the democratic process that will determine who our democratically-elected leaders will be -- is undemocratic -- it's unpatriotic. How can a university claim it is for freedom of thought, when it squashes the public's right to attend electoral debates ? Oh, I forgot, this is the same university that wanted to hire Dr. Li-Ann Thio to teach human rights.

[horsesinnyc]

Norman Siegel is the People's lawyer