NYPD Accused of Excessive Force Early

[G_j]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/082904Z.shtml

NYPD Accused of Excessive Force Early
The Associated Press

Saturday 28 August 2004

New York - In the first major clash between police and demonstrators converging for the Republican National Convention, nearly 250 bicyclists were arrested during a protest ride that snaked through the city and passed by Madison Square Garden.

Bikers chanted anti-Bush slogans, stifled traffic and, in some places, argued with motorists during the Friday night ride, which began at Union Square and drew thousands of cyclists.

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne said the bikers had caused "massive disruptions" and endangered motorists. Participants said their ride was peaceful and that the arrests were an excessive show of force.

Police had passed out leaflets to the riders warning them not to ride more than two abreast, and many of them ignored that warning, Browne said. Among the roughly 250 protesters arrested was one who allegedly threw a beer can at an officer, he said. The officer was uninjured.

..more..

[mrbill]

1. exessive force was mayor daley's big mistake.

was it an empty can or a full can?

[hang a left]

2. Out of the thousands of bike riders....

there was A beer can thrown. I betcha either there was no can, or it was thrown from someone other than the protestors.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. NY Times said

that the cops put a net across one intersection, but that most cyclists just turned and went another way. They report 100 arrests. At the end of the article, a NYC spokesman said it was ironic because the city was trying to get New Yorkers to use alternative means of transportation during the RNC.