Dear Commons Community,
WNYC reported that what was a peaceful protest turned violent yesterday. Dozens were arrested mostly for disorderly conduct, obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic, resisting arrest and, in one case, assaulting a police officer, the police said. Female protesters were penned and pepper-sprayed by NYC police.
See youtube video below!
Tony
Thanks for the comment, Barbara, and your perspective from downtown.
Tony
The expressive protest may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but I can’t imagine how the city could walk away from its $24 billion investment in the reconstruction of the Downtown area. We’re not there yet and all civil servants — especially the police — surely recognize the importance of the anticipated revenue from the 300,000 people who have registered to view the 9/11 Memorial. This doesn’t make the violation of civil liberties okay, but the protesters haven’t always shown good manners and/or respect for the families with children who live in the neighborhood. The 24/7 drumming can try one’s patience — it echos out in a five-block radius. I can hear it right now at 8:18 on a school night.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/nyregion/10-years-after-911-downtown-area-is-thriving.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Downtown&st=cse