Mayor Bloomberg Promises To Start Arresting More Occupy Wall Street Protesters - Gothamist

[WillyT]

Mayor Bloomberg Promises To Start Arresting More Occupy Wall Street Protesters
Gothamist - By Ben Yakas in News
October 21, 2011 1:09 PM

<snip>

Mayor Bloomberg has been playing nice with Occupy Wall Street protesters camped out in Zuccotti Park recently— especially since he narrowly avoided political suicide when the forced clearing and cleaning of Zuccotti was cancelled by Brookfield Properties. But Hizzoner doesn't want you to think he's getting soft: Bloomberg said this morning that the city would start cracking down on demonstrations much more: “We will start enforcing that more,” he said of rules requiring permits for marches and assemblies.

While on the John Gambling radio show this morning, Bloomberg credited the protesters for “generally obeying the law” and being "peaceful," but noted he was concerned the continuing protests, which have lasted over a month now, were interfering with other New Yorkers’ rights to enjoy their property and the city: “We’ll eventually have to work something out here,” he said, though he didn't specify any more than that. He also said that he had spoken with a landlord whose tenants want to "cancel" their leases, because of proximity to Zuccotti Park.

While a recent poll found that the vast majority of NYC approves of Occupy Wall Street—both their right to protest as well as their message—Bloomberg has largely been condescending toward OWS, even as he's publicly defended their right to free speech. Earlier this week, he said that he doesn't believe the OWS tents set up in Zuccotti Park are considered protected speech.

OWS's media coordinator Thorin Caristo responded with the following statement:

His inability to create a clear and definitive opinion or position on OWS just shows he's being tossed around like a bird in a storm. We all know what that storm is, that storm is the growing concern in the higher factions of Wall Street, that this movement might actually be making a difference.

The mayor's statements sound hardline and I have no doubt he may actually try to enforce those. But we all know that every time excessive police force is used in this situation the movement grows exponentially.

<snip>

Link: http://gothamist.com/2011/10/21/mayor_bloomberg_promises_to_start_a.php#photo-1

:kick:

[ixion]

1. You can't arrest an idea.

so you might as well accept it, Mr. Bloomberg.

[Glassunion]

5. Sure you can. We have been doing it for years...

Contempt of cop. That is usually what happens when you have committed no crime, but you have pissed off a cop. They charge you with resisting arrest with no other charges.

[ixion]

12. well, that's still arresting an individual, not an idea,

technically speaking. ;)

[Glassunion]

18. True... But that doed not mean you cannot arrest those for the ideas they hold.

[TBMASE]

7. yeah but you can arrest the guy shitting in the street or in alleys

there is still a residential neighborhood there and they shouldn't have their rights violated

[ixion]

14. uh, okay

although I would imagine that's an exception to the rule, and happens irregardless of the Occupy movement. The banksters thank you for your support.

[TBMASE]

17. The "banksters"? This is an actual complaint voiced by the residents

at their council meeting.

[Ship of Fools]

2. "...every time excessive police force is used in this situation the

movement grows exponentially..." Now THAT brings tears of joy to my eyes.

[Kennah]

3. Go for it, Mayor Dipshit!

A movement that represents 99%+ of the population, and has poll numbers that are more favorable than the President, Congress, or the Tea Party, perhaps all combined, and you just might have to arrest 99% of the population. Have at it, and tell the cops to start busting heads for even more of a PR nightmare.

[TBMASE]

8. They no more represent 99% of the population than Jesse or Al represent

all black people.

[SpiralHawk]

16. Right - they represent 99. 2%

Thanks for pointing out the underestimate

[aquart]

4. I agree with Olbermann.

We gotta erect a statue to this guy for his continued support of #ows. In Zuccotti Park.

[Glassunion]

6. You mean a billionare is getting upset at those who are upset at

the inequality and disparity of wealth?

[TBMASE]

9. The people in the neighborhood are getting upset too

based on what I read about their council meeting

[Glassunion]

10. I'm on the fence myself...

I feel bad for the neighbors(I really do), but sometimes democracy is a bitch and can get dirty from time to time.

Personally I think the gathering should actually occupy wall street.

I could take a train from NJ, and a subway to the financial district, get off two stops away and walk 4 blocks to a bank on wall street and not see one protestor.

[TBMASE]

11. Well the Mayor serves those residents who live there full time

They have rights that the Mayor is supposed to protect

[Glassunion]

15. I agree. But there is no easy answer.

I think the movement, should be allowed to relocate down to wall street.

[meow2u3]

13. Bloomberg is making up a new law: contempt of corporation

So he wants to make it a crime to speak out against corporate occupation of government?! Bring it on! See how far you get when the 99%ers start suing you for everything you got!