Cops, Firemen Swarm Bloomberg's Pad

[Sleepless In NY]

Cops, firemen swarm Mayor Mike's pad

A small army of cops and firefighters seeking higher pay gave Mayor Bloomberg a Bon Voyage Protest outside his upper East Side townhouse early this morning.

Several hundred of the Finest and Bravest massed on E. 79th St. at 1:15 a.m. to chant, rant and wave placards calling for a new contract - just when the mayor was presumably resting up before his trip to the Athens Olympics today.

A contingent made up largely of firefighters chanted "Strike, strike, strike!" as they marched across the street from the mayor's residence.

Squads of cops in blue T-shirts proclaiming "Police Officers for Fair Pay" marched in pairs along the block between Fifth and Madison Aves. with glowing candles and American flags.

Later, the protesters grouped a half block away on Fifth Ave. to hear Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch say, "While the mayor's sleeping, we're out patrolling the streets. While our billionaire mayor flies to Greece, we'll be out doing our jobs. They may fight us, but we're gonna get the contract we deserve."

Dozens of on-duty cops watched the proceedings, but never had to intervene. The protest broke up about 2 a.m. Cops and firefighters have been hounding Bloomberg for weeks over the contract dispute.

They have also leveled thinly veiled threats of job actions during the Republican convention, which begins Aug. 30 at Madison Square Garden. Cops have been working without a contract since July 31, 2002, and firefighters since May 31, 2002.


http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/223333p-191889c.html

[iconoclastic cat]

1. All the RNC protesters should have alternate "Pay First Responders!" signs

And I'm not being flip--those men and women are being totally shafted. They should strike during the whole convention.

[democrat_patriot]

2. What if all protestors now protested

against:

"Republicans who hurt 1st responders and make America less safe!"

"Why do Republicans hate our police and firefighters?"

Or something to that affect. Think the police will try and stop them? Or get violent? Hell, they will be marching with them!

[rocktivity]

3. Bloomberg doesn't live at Gracie Mansion?

Which reminds me of a story: A friend of mine told me that a friend of hers had just moved into "the safest neighborhood in New York City," and asked me if I could guess where it was. I thought about it and said, "Either Gracie Mansion or the Hell's Angels headquarters in the East Village." It was the latter!

:headbang:
rocknation

[CaptainClark23]

5. nope, too small for him

He stays in his own place.

re: the Angels...no question the safest block in the City. I lived around the corner in the mid 80's.

Oddly enough, a decade and a half later I ended up living above Sonny Barger's bike shop across the street from the Oakland Chapter...the safest block in East Oakland.

[TX-RAT]

4. How much do they get paid now?

[candy]

16. The NYPD website has that information in the section for---

folks that are interested in applying for a job.

My computer skills are nil or I'd post the link.

[Barrett808]

6. I would love to march with NYPD and FDNY - hope they'll be there w/ me n/t

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

7. Will the FBI try to intimidate these protestors...LOL

No,it seems the FBI only goes after young non-violent people who are after social justice like the young woman I saw on Countdown with Oberman last night.

[faithnotgreed]

8. hi mr nice - welcome to du!

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

11. Thank you,nice to be aboard! eom

[faithnotgreed]

9. hi ny - welcome to du and thank you for sharing this story!

[atreides1]

10. They Better Be Careful

Uncle Mikey might take away their Free Speech "privileges". ;)

[KurtNYC]

12. Wonder if they took turns misdirecting each other,

saying "you can't get into the pen here, try the next block"

When they show news clips of that protest it should say "do not try this yourself" underneath.

I support their efforts to get paid, etc. just wish we could all protest as easily and spurt of the moment as they do.

[soleft]

13. I was on the fence with Bloomberg, but his "priviledges" crack lost me

[poliguru]

14. This is great

I hope they strike during the convention. It'll be awfully tough for the Bushies to wrap themselves in 9/11 when the first responders are protesting outside. Nothing could be better. And I hope they get a major pay raise as a result.

[readmylips]

15. Love My City of Birth.....

I Love New York, people with cohones.

[jwirr]

17. NYC Fire and Police Departments

Just remember them on 9/11 when you are protesting. Let them know that you remember their heroism. These men and women are paid to keep order so they HAVE to do their job. But they are also people how have some of the same political concerns as we do. I remember the demonstrators in the 70s who placed flowers in the barrels of guns pointed at them. Offer them a flower to symbolize your respect for them and your wish to avoid violence.

[Trajan]

18. Yeah .... well said ....

They, policemen and firemen, are just workin stiffs trying to get ahead in this crazy mixed up world .... They are UNION workers, just like me, and usually vote for DEMOCRATS, because the Dems fight for their union rights ....

WHY do the GOP hate police and firemen ? ...

WHY do the GOP hate the First Responders ? ...

WHY do the GOP hate America ??? ....