Community | October 01, 2011 | 70 comments

Breaking: Occupy Wall Street Protesters Blocking Off Brooklyn Bridge, Police Arresting Scores

source: http://gothamist.com/2011/10/01/breaking_occupy_wall_street_protest.php

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attilatheblond
We're seeing reports on Twitter that protesters from Occupy Wall Street have marched down to the Brooklyn Bridge, and hundreds of people have begun to stream into traffic lanes, completely stopping traffic on the bridge. According to NY Times reporter Brian Stelter on the scene, "Scratch that: a LARGE # of protesters are in lanes of traffic. Traffic out of Manhattan is now completely stopped." [Watch live video stream below]

Gawker's Adrian Chen, who is also down there, wrote, "Shit, they're shutting down the brooklyn bridge," and also tweeted a picture of the Brooklyn-bound lane completely blocked. We'll update as we hear more about what's going on by the bridge.

Update 4:26 p.m.: Police have no arrived on the scene and have started arresting protesters en masse: "Police going to make mass arrest on Brooklyn bridge," tweeted Jeff Rae. According to @jopauca, "Two white shirts just beat someone. Someone has video." There are also reports that police have blockaded both sides of the bridge now and taken out the nets.

You can watch a http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution">live video stream of what's going on below:

My daughter gave me a heads up about this an hour and a half ago, but it took this long for me to find any sort of confirmation.
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70 comments // Breaking: Occupy Wall Street Protesters Blocking Off Brooklyn Bridge, Police Arresting Scores

  • Paratus
    • 0
      Paratus  

    • Just saw a man on the street interview with some of the protesters. One wanted to dismantle capitalism, remove corporate influence in government, another wanted to replace capitalism with a more just system but when asked what system would that be we saw the thousand yard vacuous stare, yet another would not take a job if a CEO offered her one. Sounds like quite a collection of morons. I don't think three of the four had any idea what was going on but were only there to act up and try to be relevant. I heartily agree with the removal of the cohabitation of government and business but this can be fixed by returning to the limited government concept.
      A lot of the others seem to be demonstrating against student loan debt. Do they want debt forgiveness? Who forced them to incur this debt. I know doctors with upwards of 250k in student loan debt. They don't whine about it, they work.
      The more I find out about those demonstrators and the funding behind them the less sympathy I have for their supposed plight. This actually looks like a pro government rally wanting more and more control of the people.

    • 8 months ago
  • MorteMcAdaver
    • 0
      MorteMcAdaver  

    • It's been both infuriating and exciting to see these protests and keep up with them. I'm glad to see something actually happening in response to big businesses betting against our own economy.

    • 8 months ago
  • wynnmeg61
    • +1
      wynnmeg61  

    • The arrests of the protesters on the bridge, and the criminal behavior of Tony Baloney, etc. are actually good for the protest itself. Those things bring main stream play to the protests and acceleration. I feel for the gals that got pepper sprayed - but it did bring attention to the protests.

    • 8 months ago
  • BPGulfLeak
    • +3
      BPGulfLeak  

    • This is not about the cops
      http://jamyerson.com/2011/10/02/this-is-not-about-the-cops/
      by J.A. Myerson

      Okay, so I understand that video of police arresting peacefully protesting civilians is compelling. But that is insufficient reason to highlight it above everything else. If this were a protest against police, we would be occupying police plaza. We are not. This is about the fraudulence and perfidity of a corporate and financial cadre that is hellbent on the endless accumulation of wealth, callous to the desperation of the impoverished and brazen in its manipulation of a political system that too readily accommodates its nefariousness.
      That fraudulence and manipulation has resulted in a political movement with the reigns of power that advocates for austerity budgets that exacerbates the problem and attacks public workers like the rank and file members of the NYPD. We know that, if the radical right wing has its way, the police will lose their pensions, their job security and their rights, and to that extent, we loudly profess our solidarity with them (and offer them refreshments every morning, refreshments they are under strict instructions to decline).
      Of course, we do not ignore the long legacy of police brutality. No one who grew up in this city when I did can forget Amedou Diallo, even if Abner Louima, Eleanor Bumpurs and Anthony Baez stayed out of the headlines. We urge the cops to remember that we are fighting for them, and, moreover, that we hire them to protect us. The Wall Street thugs who have demolished this country’s economy and the control they exert over Washington are forces that will destroy both us and the cops, if given their druthers. The cops are part of the 99% as well.
      Onward!

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • BPGulfLeak:

      Agree that the cops are part of us, the 99%. Most of them know that. One hopes all the rest will wake up and realize it too.

      But we pay a price for ignoring the elements necessary to nurture good mental health in this country. TPTB know a sick cop is a useful cop. Put in cooperative top cops and the rest will follow ~ putting unhealthy minds in positions with just a wee bit of authority.

      I am all for reaching across the line and touching the hearts and minds of all the good cops out there. My mind holds the photograph of the anti-war protester placing that flower in the soldier's gun barrel. Where have all the flowers gone?

    • 8 months ago
  • zoomy1
  • MotherForTruth
  • attilatheblond
    • 0
      attilatheblond  

    • It will always be the comedians who nail any given topic:

      BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
      The protesters totally stole the idea of Occupy Wall Street from Satan. #OccupyWallStreet #Satan

    • 8 months ago
  • timelord999
  • zoomy1
  • danitassin
    • -3
      danitassin  

    • Well, I have to say, that blocking the bridge is not only illegal but also pretty selfish. Why? Because the people you are holding up are the very people that are the 99%. These people just want to go to work, home etc. So don't block the streets, sidewalks, bridges etc. It's wrong and you'll end up pissing off the people that you are trying to get to join you. Respectful protesting is the only effective way. Respect is earned.

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • danitassin:

      Turns out, the police blocked the bridge at other side, then led marchers off the path and onto the road.

      Gee, talk about selfish! Those selfish marchers, following the direction of the cops then walking into that cop roadblock. Yep, terrible to follow orders like that, whether you were a marcher of a cop.

    • 8 months ago
  • queenofit
    • +2
      queenofit  
    • danitassin:

      Kettling, also known as containment or corralling,[1] is a police tactic for controlling large crowds during demonstrations or protests. It involves the formation of large cordons of police officers who then move to contain a crowd within a limited area. Protesters are left only one choice of exit, determined by the police, or are completely prevented from leaving. In some cases protesters are reported to have been denied access to food, water and toilet facilities for a long period.[2"

      If you want to read more about "kettling" check out the wikipedia site (google it) and you will find that this "corralling" of the protestors is what happened here, so it was not the plan to "block bridge" by the protestors, it was the police who led them onto the bridge in order to block them and contain them, much like cattle are done before they are led to slaughter. "Kettling" was planned, thus the reported number of buses waiting to take the protestors to the jail.

    • 8 months ago
  • zoomy1
    • +3
      zoomy1  
    • queenofit:

      Ya know, I wondered how they were able to arrest all those people at once. Something like that takes planning ahead of time. So how did they know ahead of time that they would be on the bridge, (an easy choke point).

    • 8 months ago
  • queenofit
    • +1
      queenofit  
    • Image
    • zoomy1:

      Not sure of the "fine details", I have read several first hand accounts, and besides the obvious fact that this was planned by police; how or why the bridge, is not a question I can answer, but, the crowd was large, and when the march begins, folks just follow the leader. May have been someone leading who is also working with police? That could be happening, I read somewhere that is going on. Here is one personal account; http://gawker.com/5845775/police-corral-arrest-occupy-wall-street-protesters-on-... I am sure other personal accounts will follow, but we need to read reliable sources to understand, as the MSM is spinning this to their corporate lords favor. :)

    • 8 months ago
  • Nick19
    • +1
      Nick19  

    • Well I do recall a week or two ago when I believe I said something along the lines of this protest will either go in the direction of withering away or become the spark needed to set off larger protests. Well, it seems that due to the heavy handed nature of the police, the protestors got their publicity via the internet and social media and hence, the protests have exploded and are getting bigger. The police need to lessen their heavy handed tactics since arresting people on the spot is only making their jobs more difficult. Let the people control the streets for once in what will hopefully bring about a new political movement. Occupy Boston and Occupy L.A are actually beginning to happen or about to be organized. Will this become the American Spring...or Winter anyways? Time is showing that it may indeed. All it takes is a few videos and a social network to organize large scale leaderless movements.

    • 8 months ago
  • zoomy1
    • +1
      zoomy1  
    • Nick19:

      The police will use more and more heavy handed techniques, just like in Egypt and Libya and the rest of the middle east, because their job is to protect the status quo, even at the expense of their own best interests. To disobey orders at this stage would lead to their own arrest. But there will be a tipping point. Wait and see.

    • 8 months ago
  • Nick19
    • +1
      Nick19  
    • zoomy1:

      They won't go as far as the brutal suppression of protestor in Libya or Egypt. They use what would be considered more light handed tactics such as redirecting protestors, arresting them for a day or two, and probably macing a group who didn't really create a violent situation. That is much different than say arresting people and torturing them or using live ammunition. I'm not justifying police action but I'm just saying that it simply doesn't compare.

    • 8 months ago
  • zoomy1
    • +1
      zoomy1  
    • Nick19:

      It doesn't compare,yet. But these are early days.
      I guess it depends on how desparate the Wall Street criminals get. Then the Security establishment will have a tough decision to make.
      I, personally am a pessimist. I believe they will find cops who will do as they're told.
      That's when things will tip.

    • 8 months ago
  • BPGulfLeak
  • BPGulfLeak
  • BPGulfLeak
  • Lisayou
  • JanforGore
    • +3
      JanforGore  

    • I guess I'm not as savvy with protest methods but I don't understand how you could be "led" by the police to go to a place you didn't intend to go to. I sure know the police would not be leading me anywhere, especially after previous episodes. On the whole I think it is wonderful to see people speaking out, but hopefully this will not now devolve into just cat and mouse games between the police and protestors. I hope something more is coming. These banks and corporations need to see a hit in their profit sheets where it really matters to them. I won't be buying on Nov. 5th, or many days in between or after. People enmasse need to close their bank accounts with these big criminal bailed out banks and cut up their cards and cut off their air supply.

    • 8 months ago
  • Itsbatman_Durr
  • queenofit
    • +4
      queenofit  
    • JanforGore:

      I have been gradually getting my banking in order so that I can say 'BYE-BYE' Bank of America, it is a gradual process, everything has to be ready to go (to my new credit union) when I leave this big corporate bank. I am sooo glad to find a credit union, it took me time to get all my stuff in order, but finally, all done. Monday will be the day I can complete the cutting of the strings. Yes! Main thing folks need to make sure they have all their payments accounted for, that is the hardest part, or it was for me. I am pretty sure I have them all sorted out. You know the electronic payments, insurance or even stuff like my skype payment, little stuff like that, if you forget and something comes to that account electronically, they can actually reopen your account, and then charge you overdraft fees, because your account would be empty. *you know, you closed it out, right? Well, the bank will re-open it, without you knowing it, and then you are getting more fees? robbers....

    • 8 months ago
  • JanforGore
    • +4
      JanforGore  
    • queenofit:

      Good for you, and I know what you mean. You have to be careful that nothing goes into that account once it is closed. Take care of all automated deposits and WDs beforehand. If they assess checking fees for going below a certain balance, that might be where they catch you depending on date the account was closed/cut off dates, etc. I'm sure once you move it out you will feel better. That is really one way they will feel the heat for sure. Actually, I wish we could get businesses to pull their accounts as well and also go for loans elsewhere. That is a big chunk of their profits too as well as credit cards. I think we need a full court press against these bloodsuckers to actually keep people from opening accounts in these bailed out banks in the first place. It's along the same lines as supporting organic and small scale farmers in lieu of the big ag GMO crap. They need to know there is a better option. There's more than one way to get the message across in a non violent manner.

    • 8 months ago
  • queenofit
    • +3
      queenofit  
    • JanforGore:

      Jan, our local UVA credit union now offers services to local people in the area, even if not employed by the University. Something I only found out about recently. They need documentation showing your place of residence to allow non employees of the University banking status, but after that, they are so nice and seem to appreciate their customers. No MINIMUM checking balances and you get free checking. Not going to be able to find that in most banks soon. They are all starting to charge fees, and it feels like a cat and mouse game with them anyway. One day no fee for certain things, and the next, new fee. I read where they are not expecting to lose many customers on the [recently announced] $60.00 annual fee to spend YOUR money using YOUR debit card? Why? Because it is so hard to move your checking account out of their greedy clutches. Jan, you're correct, we need "a full court press" .......

    • 8 months ago
  • MorteMcAdaver
    • 0
      MorteMcAdaver  
    • JanforGore:

      I had been considering doing that, particularly the closing of bank accounts. I'm wondering if any banks are trustworthy at this point. I should probably cancel my Bank of America card while I'm at it.

    • 8 months ago
  • Buddha2112
    • +2
      Buddha2112  

    • It's not as many people are you think, but!

      The NYPD precinct # for bridge area/arrests is 1-212-788-1400

      Get more info if you want. I was on the walkway, and we were helping people up off the traffic deck onto the main deck. They ended up using orange nets and cutting us in two... Some pushed to Brooklyn, others stuck in Manhattan.

      There were are least 3 HUGE police buses. There were even children stuck on the traffic deck.

      It was strange at the time though, as we approached the bridge, there was a line of cops blocking the side toward the street. By the bridge they opened up, and people were allowed to pour onto the street, and subsequently onto the traffic deck of the bridge. Then they were cut off, and at about halfway through the cops sprung their trap. I don't know if it was on purpose by the police, or the protestors, but we didn't even have plans to march across the bridge at all (to my knowledge). The police already had the bridge cordoned off with trucks, so, the main stoppage of traffic was due to police. The protestors didn't stop until they realized they were trapped and just sat down.

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • Itsbatman_Durr
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  

    • LMAO! A stock broker type person is following me on twitter. Are they getting paranoid?

      Anybody else posting now and then to #occupywallstreet picking up twitter followers? So funny

    • 8 months ago
  • figgdimension
    • +4
      figgdimension  

    • The techniques used are called kettling its been used by many fascist regimes to corral protesters and silence dissent coupled with media blackout it can be demoralizing and safety wise extremely... Dangerous... occupy the airwaves boycott all corps buy nothing and kill your television. I've been busy and my hand is still healing excuse my typos hurts to type but I wanted to say I'm with you all in spirit and behind the scenes I am working non-stop.... ill be seeing you in Washington... fare ye well friends , fellow citizens, Comrades,freedom fighters,and the awoken. ;)

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • artemis6
  • StandaboveUnderstand
  • artemis6
  • attilatheblond
  • Saladin
    • +5
      Saladin  

    • Whether the police trapped them there or whether they went there themselves, it's a good thing I think.

      It's time for Americans to stop sitting on the sidelines and take a side. So you didn't get to go to Jersey today (God forbid), I think the fate of the nation is a *little* more important.

      People need to realize they have some serious skin in this game. If things don't get fixed soon, it could be the Great Depression all over again. Only this time, there is no FDR to pull us through it.

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +7
      attilatheblond  
    • Image

    • http://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/Home/article/ny-13.htm

      New York City Police Foundation — New York

      JPMorgan Chase recently donated an unprecedented $4.6 million to the New York City Police Foundation. The gift was the largest in the history of the foundation and will enable the New York City Police Department to strengthen security in the Big Apple. The money will pay for 1,000 new patrol car laptops, as well as security monitoring software in the NYPD's main data center.

      New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly sent CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon a note expressing "profound gratitude" for the company's donation.

      "These officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," Dimon said. "We're incredibly proud to help them build this program and let them know how much we value their hard work."

      Lots of taxpayers work with risks too, and bale out big corporations who do crap like buy police forces.

      WTF

    • 8 months ago
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
  • bailey78
  • attilatheblond
  • artemis6
    • +4
      artemis6  

    • There is NO WAY they wanted to be there . It was a trap . An attempt to vilify protesters and distract people from the REAL enemy , WALL STREET . Still , publicity , can be a positive in the long run .

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • Misti
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • Misti:

      LOL! Gotta tell ya, my virpre software is ALWAYS telling me it thinks various left wing new letter emails are scams! When I had other computer virus and malware programs, they all did the same. ROFL. Corporations do not like the exchange of information among us peons, do they?

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • attilatheblond:

      One could also see TPTB hiring people to PUT malware on certain sites in effort to screw up all our machines and keep us off those dang gum interweb tubes that just get us peons all riled up with real information and news. ;^)

    • 8 months ago
  • Itsbatman_Durr
    • +1
      Itsbatman_Durr  
    • Image
    • Misti:

      yes it is which is why we have spread to include OccupyTogether.org OccupyThePlanet.org ProjectHug.us and many others!! add them all in for when one head is cut off we have 100

    • 8 months ago
  • DanCastro
    • +4
      DanCastro  

    • i have a wish list for this exercise in direct dem, but i also hope they have new ideas to change it to US matter more than money

    • 8 months ago
  • Misti
  • attilatheblond
    • +3
      attilatheblond  
    • Misti:

      We know Bloomberg doesn't get it about who/what is being protested. We know he just wants people to go away. And NYPD does not have a sterling reputation. The do have the means to bring down planes, and that bothers me some. Should a group with such a long track record of questionable judgment (and indicted former chiefs) be trusted with such heavy weapons when they can't be trusted with pepper spray, flashlights, batons, guns?

    • 8 months ago
  • Progresshiv
  • attilatheblond
  • Progresshiv
  • attilatheblond
  • bailey78
  • Progresshiv
  • artemis6
  • Progresshiv
  • artemis6
  • Misti
  • attilatheblond
  • ACSUS
    • 0
      ACSUS  

    • I wish they hadn't blocked traffic. 1st off, they just got arrested, 2ndly the people they inconvenienced were probably just regular people like you and I trying to scrape by day to day.

      I doubt if any real wall street mogul would be driving across the Brooklyn Bridge at that time of day, it's the martini hour.

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • Itsbatman_Durr
    • -1
      Itsbatman_Durr  
    • ACSUS:

      thats not what happened that is the spin the media is putting on it what happened is the police corralled and led them there then blocked off both ends of the bridge, a tactic used in the soviet protests recently as well. the police had 20 buses waiting at the bridge from the department of corrections

    • 8 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • attilatheblond
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