Police provoke and arrest protesters
Urgent: Call the NYPD NOW! Demand the release of all
protesters!
NYPD Switchboard:
(646) 610-5000
7th Precinct:
(212) 477-7311
Pack the Court Tomorrow Morning!
9 am - 100 Centre St. in Manhattan
January 11--Today, more than 15,000 people rallied in
Times Square to protest Israel's ongoing assault against
the people of Palestine . The demonstration stretched
from 42nd Street south to 38 Street, along 7th Ave , and
was followed by a spirited march past the New York Times
building to the Time Warner building on 58th Street where
CNN's New York office is located.
Organizers reported provocative and hostile police
behavior throughout the event. Police massed at the end
of the march route began cursing, taunting and attacking
protesters. One uniformed cop was reported as yelling,
"Why don't you all blow yourselves up?"
Eyewitnesses reported that the police used pepper spray in
an unprovoked assault on the protesters including
teenagers and children as young as ten years old. Others
were pushed and struck by police.
At least 30 people were arrested during the day, and
everyone who was arrested was beaten by police, some
severely. Most were arrested while simply trying to leave
at the end of the march, when police charged and began
arresting and beating people.
One provocateur grabbed a Palestinian flag and began
trampling on it. When onlookers attempted to retrieve the
flag, they were attacked and nine were arrested.
Organizers are reporting that the attacks and arrests
clearly targeted Arab youth. Lamis Deek, human rights
attorney and co-chair of Al-Awda New York, said, "The
systematic pattern of attacks and provocations and the
sudden appearance of police amass at the end of the march
were clearly a message from City Hall. This police riot
was clearly on orders from Mayor Bloomberg, who just
returned from Israel where he cheered on the attacks
against the people of Gaza , and who is clearly trying to
intimidate the mass protests that have taken place here,
and will continue to take place. But these tactics will
not keep us off the streets. We outnumbered the rally in
support of Israel 's crimes by a hundred to one."
***As this is being written, we have received reports that
an undetermined number of people, including children, are
still being held by the NYPD. Please call the NYPD and
demand the release of all who were arrested at the protest
today!
We have been informed that some of those arrested will be
arraigned tomorrow morning - please pack the court at 100
Centre Street in Manhattan at 9 am!
NYPD Switchboard:
(646) 610-5000
7th Precinct:
(212) 477-7311
_______________________________________________
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