The raid and evictions on Zuccotti Park wasn't so much (as it might have appeared) a widespread agreement among the noble, democratic forces for peace and security across the nation, though you would be forgiven for entertaining that thought. No, it came from NYC's Mayor Bloomberg, who may live to regret the day. And it was carefully planned.
There could be no repeat of episodes in recent weeks, like the pepper-spraying of protesters, that violated department rules and created a firestorm of public sympathy for the squatters.
A major disaster drill was held on Randalls Island, with an eye toward Zuccotti. Officials increased so-called disorder training — counterterrorism measures that involve moving large numbers of police officers quickly — to focus on Lower Manhattan.
The last training session was on Monday night, on the Manhattan side of the East River. The orders to move into the park came down at the “last minute,” said someone familiar with the orders, which referred to the assignment only as “an exercise.”
“The few cops that I know that were called into this thing, they were not told it was for going into Zuccotti Park,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The only people who were aware of them going into Zuccotti Park were at the very highest levels of the department.” ...NYT
Judging from the videos and the screams -- "They're dragging them on their faces! By their hair! They're being dragged by their hair!" -- the police didn't seem particularly well-trained, however. Maybe dragging people on the faces is a well-known American practice in the new millenium.
The New York State Supreme Court has upheld the protesters' rights to occupy Zuccotti Park 24 hours a day while respecting the city's right to keep them from sleeping/camping there.
For the mayor, the test will now be how to make certain these important protests can go forward. He has said that the park should be open to everybody, not just the occupiers. Well, yes, but we doubt that that was the real motivation for clearing the park of tents. It sounded like a justification spun up by political advisers. In any case, protecting everybody’s right to be there should not be a pretext to keep out the Occupy Wall Street protesters...
...Now that Mayor Bloomberg has dismantled the anti-Wall Street group, he must keep his promise to support the protesters’ right to speak up about income inequality, especially in the city’s financial district. ...NYT editorial board
What next?
“Whenever there is pushback, especially under cover of darkness, I think it will make us stronger,” said Dan Massoglia, a spokesman for Occupy Chicago. ...NYT
Around 2,000 activists have marched single-file back into the newly tentless Zuccotti Park. Last night, they spent the evening in a dramatic general assembly, forging a strategy for the coming days. Facilitators began with a 15 second moment of silence "in recognition of our suffering." "We are rebuilding," an opening speaker affirmed. "But we lost a lot...people don't know where they're sleeping tonight." According to many organizers and occupiers, Zuccotti Park will remain — somehow — the heart of the movement. And the occupation plans to fight back. ...Daily Intel
The reports of police damage continue to come in.
As news of the raid spread, New York City councilman Ydanis Rodriguez quickly ran to the scene, eager to see what was happening. As he arrived to stand with the protesters, he was wounded by the New York Police Department and arrested. According to media reports, Rodriguez was hit and had “blood on his temple.” He was then placed in a police van along with several members of the press, including a photographer with Agence France Presse. ...Think Progress
