GOP convention detainees describe lockup

[Khephra]

GOP convention detainees describe lockup

9/2/2004, 7:58 p.m. ET

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Long-haired and bearded, Sebastian Licht said he set out Tuesday to celebrate his 22nd birthday, only to be mocked by a police officer as "Jesus" and swept up in one of the largest mass arrests in the nation's history.

He emerged two days later from court — smelly, bleeding and determined to become the activist he says police feared he was.

One of more than 1,700 people arrested this week at demonstrations aimed at the Republican National Convention, Licht gained his freedom on Thursday morning. A judge, frustrated at the city's pace in moving protesters through the criminal justice system, ordered the immediate release of nearly 500 of them.

Most of those arrested were anti-GOP protesters, but some insist they got snared in the chaos. Licht puts himself in the latter category.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/politics/index.ssf?/base/politics-5/1094169886105410.xml&storylist=electionmi

[meisje]

1. Oh Christ!

I mean Jesus
Something else to whine about!

[TahitiNut]

9. "whine"? You call that whining?

Jailed for three days on baseless charges? :puke:

I hope the people who were jailed win the biggest class action suit in NYC's history. Big time!

[Soloflecks]

2. Saw on Democracy Now!

NYPD has now defied two judicial orders regarding immediate release of the protestors. 900 still remain in Guatanamo-on-the-Hudson, the Pier 57 facility contaminated with oil, chemicals, and asbestos. Their lawyers were denied access despite a judicial order. They are not being treated for their medical conditions, they've been given nothing to sit or lie on except the foul floor. Some have developed rashes from exposure to chemicals and oil residue. Some have been detained more than 36 hours and none were allowed phone calls. Many were not protestors but were caught as police cordoned off a block and arrested everyone including members of the press who had press badges. No warning was given. Protestors would be walking down the block, and cops would come up from behind. There turned out to be plain clothes cops in front, then scooter cops would come up on each side hemming people in. The protestors weren't acting in a disorderly manner prior to arrest.

On 11th St. 40 police, 15 reporters, and 1 protestor showed up for a protest at a Hummer dealership. As the young woman walked back and forth on the sidewalk with her sign, the jackboot in charge told her she was blocking traffic, to leave or be arrested. When she pointed out that she wasn't blocking anything, he cuffed her and took her away. The story appeared in only two news publications.

There will be lawsuits.

This is what I learned watching Democracy Now! on Free Speech TV.

[7th_Sephiroth]

3. i hope the backlash against the cops is so bad

that there wont be a NYPD any more

[CHIMO]

4. Guantanamo On the Hudson: Detained RNC Protesters Describe Prison Conditio

We speak with detained protesters being held at New York's temporary holding facility, Pier 57. They describe the conditions of the holding facility saying it is crowded, dirty and contaminated with oil, causing rashes. And we speak with the lead organizer of the National Lawyers Guild's campaign to protect the rights of protesters.


http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/09/02/1454254

Rush transcript and video/audio available.

[bpilgrim]

5. image from nyc indy media...

more...
http://nyc.indymedia.org/feature/display/114761

peace

[NYC]

11. That bright lime green baseball cap near the left

is a legal observer for the National Lawyers Guild.

[countmyvote4real]

6. I live in NYC. The corruption by the RNC is disgusting.

NYPD has always had its problems, especially, if you’re man of color. I’m not. The few times that I’ve been burglarized or mugged, the individual officers have always impressed me with their concern and follow up. And then 9/11 brought a whole new perspective for both the police and the firefighters.

In the aftermath of 9/11, most of the world felt the same way about the tragedy and heroism we saw from our first responders. Within a year, * managed to squander all that goodwill.

And now the RNC comes to NYC and both NY’s finest and bravest follow suit and lose the respect of the citizens they serve. Unbelievably, the NYCFD Firefighters Association endorsed * for a photo op despite the nationwide union’s support for Kerry. But my gall is mostly reserved for the Mayor, the Police commissioner and their goon squads. First, the mayor should never have invited the RNC here to coop our 9/11 tragedy for their goals which have nothing to do with the masses of NYC. Most of all, the Police Commissioner and the limited number of goon squads (they might be imported, most rank and file have been very respectful) are a blight on our city. I’m astonished and ashamed by the reports I’ve heard about “Toxic Guantanamo on the Hudson.”

There are reports that this place is known for being ridden with asbestos and other chemicals, leaving many arrestees with chemical burns and other health problems. Aside from the fact that the initial arrest of many of the one thousand plus detainees is questionable, no one should be held under these conditions. Not in Afghanistan. Not in Iraq. Not in Guantanomo. Certainly not in New York City. I thought we were better than this. And yet, Bloomberg and the NYPD want to keep them there, defying several rulings demanding the release of detainees. The city has already been fined almost half a million dollars for their failure to comply. This will ultimately multiply to millions in settlements.

Will the GOP/RNC or * administration be around to fund any of this? Not likely. They’re just users. They’ve used our tax dollars to pay for their campaign of lies in our city. They’ve used our city and I can’t wait for them to be gone.

[NYC]

10. Tell me about the half million $ fine.

I head tonight that the city had to pay a $1,000 fine per person for keeping them too long.

I was out protesting until midnight, so haven't been updated on anything.

[NYC]

12. Never mind. I just read 560 detainees @ $1,000 apiece.

They won't learn a lesson from the fine.

[jdj]

7. Scary, what if he is Jesus...

[Just Me]

8. Here we go again,...

,...but far more revolutionary on so many levels. Awareness & struggle, evolution & power collide. Amazing times we are living in.