Police brace for unauthorized convention protest in Central Park

[NewYorkerfromMass]

Officials are quietly making plans to police spontaneous protests in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention _ expecting thousands of demonstrators to converge on the vast urban parkland regardless of the outcome of this week's court battles.

"We believe they're going to the park," a high-ranking police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday. "You can't keep them out."

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--convention-polici0824aug24,0,2152598,print.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

Seems like a meme. I don't know what to make of this other than to take it at its face.

[bryant69]

1. Of course it's a meme

This is one of their few hopes to win the election is to see protesters getting beaten up by the cops, and have President Bush on TV saying that if you like law and order and respect America's policemen you will vote for him.

Worked in '68.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Dancing_Dave]

19. Not like '68 Democratic Convention

Because this is the REPUBLICAN convention. In '68, a repressive show-down attitude from Chicago's Mayor Daily forced an ugly scene with peace protesters at the Democratic Convention, and the whole spectacle probably ended up being a bit to Nixon's advantage. Not entirely though, because it also helped draw more liberal-minded young people into political activism. Over a slightly longer run, it was part of what brought Nixon down.

This is a completely different situation, and it can only be an embarassment to the Republicans.

[aquart]

2. That's what I heard last night, too.

At the Progressive Tourist Bureau.

They're expecting the marchers to head for the park.

Where they belong.

The Central Park Conservancy and Mayor Bloomberg are WRONG.

[el_gato]

3. And the cops are wrong for enforcing fascism

IF the cops try to stop this they are enemies of democracy.

[bryant69]

5. And soldiers should all go AWOL and refuse to fight.

And every federal employee should walk of his job in protest.

[Pachamama]

25. I keep hoping for that...even just for a day....that would show whose in

...charge....the people....

[bryant69]

6. sorry

The hand is quicker than the eye

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. According to this the cops will just let them go right into the park

and limit their role to keeping the peace.

[aquart]

22. Oh, pfui.

They're civil servants. And they risk their lives dealing with disgusting things none of us would touch.

So climb off your high declaiming horse and stop making stick figures to throw bricks at. They're human. If you're threatening, they get scared and belligerent just like, say, YOU do.

AND NEVER FUCKING FORGET THIS IS NYC AND OUR COPS DIED FOR US.

[AZCat]

4. I thought they had their permit right here...

First Amendment Text

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Looks better too!

[readmylips]

9. Best Friend from New York City....

We went to attended public school from 1st grade through high school. She sent me this E-mail.
=====
Here in New York it is very busy because of the Republican Convention. I live very close to Madison Square Garden, I just pray that we do not have too much trouble. I wish the Republicans would have gone to another state, we don't want them in New York. I am planning to go to Long Island with my family for the weekend...

[Proud2BAmurkin]

10. Aren't Americans allowed to go to the park?

:shrug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

21. It will be interesting to see

how many are arrested for wearing anti-Dumbyass t-shirts,

[The Stranger]

11. Oh my God! They are going to go to the park and exercise their right

to free speech! This is an outrage! They must be stopped!

[Kolesar]

12. The problem is we cannot set up a stage for the speakers

Tens of thousands of people can converge in Central Park, but the organizers cannot set up a schedule of speakers to lead a rally.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. that's O.K. mere numbers will be a story in itself.

Nothing like mass assembly of the peace loving masses.

[htuttle]

16. It would also be in the city's interest to allow an official rally

Without some official organizers to discuss traffic and scheduling issues with and give some semblence of order to the crowd, all that the police have to negotiate with is a huge uncontrolled mob.

[Kolesar]

18. Absolutely!

The city would be smart to shunt protestors to a location away from Madison Square Garden. Mayor Bloomburg is just being purposely obtuse (that was a polite way to put it).

[Nordic]

14. since when does free speech have to be authorized by anybody?

I say take the park over and then some.

Fuck these GOP control freaks.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Isn't Central Park

still a public park?

Besides the park is huge, with many entrances and very low stone walls around the perimeter. There is no way the police could even try to keep people out. Not with having to provide super high security for the Repugs, at the same time.

The best thing for everyone is for the police just to try to maintain a safe and peaceful environment for all visitors to NYC during the convention.

[Radius]

17. Dumb

The city should have granted the permits. The park gets used for free concerts with bezillions of people.

Hopefully no one will be hurt.

[porkrind]

20. I don't know too much about the details,

but I would guess that the city is being leaned on by the white house and all other RW controlled arms of government to cut the legs out from under any possible large protests that might steal the GOP thunder or give the american people any cause to believe that a strong popular opposition to *'s fascism exists.
:dem:

---

Read about the Right-Wing "Master Plan": http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/sam/sam-contents.html

Have you read "War is a Racket"?: http://lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

Read George Orwell's classic "1984" free online here: http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/1984

[sofa king]

23. What if the WH is trying to keep organization at a minimum....

...so that they can infiltrate their own agitators and instigate a nice, ugly, bloody hippie riot?

I'm with the Chicago '68-ers. If you wish to register your disagreement with the President, put your money where your mouth is and get someone you know to register and vote.

[dbt]

24. Speaking of memes:

"You can't stomp us out and you can't make us run..."

:hippie:
dbt

[lostnfound]

26. Where's headline: "Citizens for free speech brace for the Miami Treatment"

or "Citizens for free speech brace for unauthorized use of force"

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. It says nowhere in the article that will happen

meanwhile, my question is do they (the police) really want people to go there and this is just bait to lure them away from MSG?
Or do they want to discourage people from going there?