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700 Arrested After Protest On NY's Brooklyn Bridge
by The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 700 protesters demonstrating against corporate greed, global warming and social inequality, among other grievances, were arrested Saturday after they swarmed the Brooklyn Bridge and shut down a lane of traffic for several hours in a tense confrontation with police.

The group Occupy Wall Street has been camped out in a plaza in Manhattan's Financial District for nearly two weeks staging various marches, and had orchestrated an impromptu trek to Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon. They walked in thick rows on the sidewalk up to the bridge, where some demonstrators spilled onto the roadway after being told to stay on the pedestrian pathway, police said.

The majority of those arrested were given citations for disorderly conduct and were released, police said.

Some protesters sat on the roadway, chanting "Let us go," while others chanted and yelled at police from the pedestrian walkaway above. Police used orange netting to stop the group from going farther down the bridge, which is under construction.

Some of the protesters said they were lured onto the roadway by police, or they didn't hear the calls from authorities to head to the pedestrian walkway. Police said no one was tricked into being arrested, and those in the back of the group who couldn't hear were allowed to leave.

"Multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway and that if they took roadway they would be arrested," said Paul Browne, the chief spokesman of the New York Police Department.

Erin Larkins, a Columbia University graduate student at who says she and her boyfriend have significant student loan debt, was among the thousands of protesters on the bridge. She said a friend persuaded her to join the march and she's glad she did.

"I don't think we're asking for much, just to wake up every morning not worrying whether we can pay the rent, or whether our next meal will be rice and beans again," Larkins wrote in an email to The Associated Press. "No one is expecting immediate change. I think everyone is just hopeful that people will wake up a bit and realize that the more we speak up, the more the people that do have the authority to make changes in this world listen."

Several videos taken of the event show a confusing, chaotic scene. Some show protesters screaming obscenities at police and taking a hat from one of the officers. Others show police struggling with people who refuse to get up. Nearby, a couple posed for wedding pictures on the bridge.

"We were supposed to go up the pedestrian roadway," said Robert Cammiso, a 48-year-old student from Brooklyn told the Daily News. "There was a huge funnel, a bottleneck, and we couldn't fit. People jumped from the walkway onto the roadway. We thought the roadway was open to us."

Earlier Saturday, thousands who joined two other marches crossed the Brooklyn Bridge without problems. One was from Brooklyn to Manhattan by a group opposed to genetically modified food. Another in the opposite direction marched against poverty organized by United Way.

Elsewhere in the U.S. on Saturday, protesters assembled in Albuquerque, N.M., Boston and Los Angeles to express their solidarity with the movement in New York, though their demands remain unclear. Occupy Wall Street demonstrators have been camped in Zuccotti Park and have clashed with police on earlier occasions. Mostly, the protests have been peaceful, and the movement has shown no signs of losing steam. Celebrities including Michael Moore and Susan Sarandon made recent stops to encourage the group.

During the length of the protest, turnout has varied, but the numbers have reached as high as about a few thousand. A core group of about two hundred people remain camped throughout the week. They sleep on air mattresses, use Mac laptops and play drums. They go to the bathroom at the local McDonald's. A few times a day, they march down to Wall Street, yelling, "This is what democracy looks like!"

There has been a growing swell of coverage in mainstream media, but there has been loud complaining the cause hasn't been championed fast enough — or in the way protesters want.

Misinformation has added to the confusion. For instance, a rumor sprang up on Twitter that the New York Police Department wanted to use tear gas on protesters — a crowd-control tactic the department doesn't use. The claim was eventually retracted, one of several such retractions over the past several days. On Friday, a message said Radiohead would be performing in solidarity for the cause, but the band's management said it wasn't playing.

Earlier clashes with police have resulted in about 100 arrests. Most were for disorderly conduct. Many were the subject of homemade videos posted online.

One video surfaced of a group of girls shot with pepper spray by NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna. The woman claimed they were abused and demanded the officer resign, and the video has been the subject of several news articles and commentary. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said internal affairs would look into whether Bologna acted improperly and has also said the video doesn't show "tumultuous" behavior by the protesters.

A real estate firm that owns Zuccotti Park, the private plaza off Broadway occupied by the protesters, has expressed concerns about conditions there, saying in a statement that it hopes to work with the city to restore the park "to its intended purpose." But it's not clear whether legal action will be taken, and police say there are no plans to try to remove anyone.

Seasoned activists said the ad-hoc protest could prove to be a training ground for future organizers of larger and more cohesive demonstrations, or motivate those on the sidelines to speak out against injustices.

"You may not get much, or any of these things on the first go-around," said the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, a longtime civil rights activist who has participated in protests for decades. "But it's the long haul that matters."


Arresting one or two or ten protesters for disorderly conduct is one thing, but arresting seven hundred demonstrators is worrying.

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And Wall Street's reaction?



Leaning on the balcony sipping champagne....

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I really dont know what to make of this yet.  One thing you mentioned is that at least 100 were arrested after clashes with police.  So that's not exactly non=violent passive resistance.  they probably should have been arrested.  

Did you see some of the protesters?  Man, most looked like they needed a bath...nasty looking kids.  Some looked like if they scratched ya you'd get cancer!

I would imagine 'SOME' really are hoping to protest peacefully.  Sadly, there are likely people sprinkled in amongst them who relish the idea of using more violent means.  

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

Did you see some of the protesters?  Man, most looked like they needed a bath...nasty looking kids.  Some looked like if they scratched ya you'd get cancer!

I would imagine 'SOME' really are hoping to protest peacefully.  Sadly, there are likely people sprinkled in amongst them who relish the idea of using more violent means.  

You get those guys at every protest these days, doesn't matter what the protest is they're just there to stick it to "The Man" by causing trouble.

Was a great comment a few years ago when there was a big anti-capitalism/globalization/whatever protest planned in dublin. They were anticipating a bit of violence so they borrowed some water cannon from the police in the north, and some TV pundit said "the best way to make sure the hippies keep away from the protest is to tell them they're putting soap into the water cannons" :-P

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i love how o'reilly producer jessy watters interviewed this one guy who all like "we need to take down capitalism!" and jessy said,"and replace it with what?" and the guy just looked like a deer in the headlights. and the 700 should have been arrested, as they were clogging up the brooklyn bridge. you know the kind of security concern this represents for nyc. right after killing both bin laden and al awlaki? with all those people, how much easier would it be for a backpack bomber to slip through?

the problem is that this "occupy wall street" movement has spread to several other larger cities, which leads to the question of why its called an occupy wall street protest.

and now, of course, the far left is trying to capitalize on this, and get their dirty mitts into it. trumpka and the afl-cio has now thrown in their support, while you have hollywood douche-bags walking around, trying to get some media coverage. communist van jones is cheering on this new version (remember the coffee party they tried) of the left's counter to the tea party. meanwhile, most of the hippy protesters are just out of work, and have nothing better to do, and are disappointed with the sorry state of our economy (which even obama acknowledged we're not better off now than when he took office). they should be marching on the white house...

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and now there's 15 unions that have attached to this thing (who i'm sure have already called in some of their goons), along with socialist and anti-capitalist groups, who are all trying to organize this pathetic excuse of a "movement" and mold it into a political force for the 2012 election. unfortunately, unlike the tea party, this isn't a peaceful movement. just last night another 96 were arrested while trying to charge barricades. the lefties keep stoking this thing up, and they may have a london situation on their hands.

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oh, and these knuckleheads are against the bailouts, yet they're protesting with unions who themselves have been bailed out.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:
and now there's 15 unions that have attached to this thing (who i'm sure have already called in some of their goons), along with socialist and anti-capitalist groups, who are all trying to organize this pathetic excuse of a "movement" and mold it into a political force for the 2012 election.

The problem with the socialists and the anti-capitalists is that they ruin any perfectly good movement/protest merely by supporting it, because no-one takes them seriously. Every time we see any protest rallies over here, and you see the flags or the banners for the Socialist Workers Party (or whoever), the first reaction is "oh right, that lot again, who gives a ****". They've been banging on for so long about the "oppressive capitalist system" or whatever that when people finally have something to properly complain about, if they get involved people think it's the same-o same-o. Is like the boy who cried wolf.  

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:
and now there's 15 unions that have attached to this thing (who i'm sure have already called in some of their goons), along with socialist and anti-capitalist groups, who are all trying to organize this pathetic excuse of a "movement" and mold it into a political force for the 2012 election. unfortunately, unlike the tea party, this isn't a peaceful movement. just last night another 96 were arrested while trying to charge barricades. the lefties keep stoking this thing up, and they may have a london situation on their hands.

1) Why do so many republicans keep trying to equate unions with corporations?  Thats an idiotic statement that I keep hearing, even from some very intelligent people.  Government actions that favor corporations usually mainly benefit the those few on top of the business with perhaps a very minor trickledown to those whose retirement includes that businesses stock.  Unions, on the other hand, represent at present 12% of America's working force and fights to improve working conditions and benefits for  all of America's blue and white collar workers.  Very anti-working class rhetoric.

2) While there is no central message to these protests, it would appear the majority of the anger is targeted at how many companies have been able to use their money to influence politicians, ultimately drowning out the voice of the American people.  There is also ample anger at banks that have screwed the American people.  Bank of America and several others have illegally foreclosed on American's homes.  Several banks accepted money from the federal government on condition they loan to businesses that otherwise would not have access to capital to expand, but instead wrote the money off as profits and gave themselves bonuses.  Sure, there are some anti-capitalists there, but it doesn't sound like they're the majority.

3) I did a google search of 'Occupy Wall Street+arrested' and nothing from the last couple days came up so I don't know what you are talking about.  That said, the NYPD has shown that they're willing to arrest protesters at the slightest provocation (many of the 700 who where arrested said that the NYPD directed them onto the lower part of the bridge.  Even if those who claim that were lieing, most of them probably honestly didn't know they were not permitted down there and were just following the group.  Most if not all those arrests were bulls*&t).  So far I'd fear the few here who are looking for violence (as Miles put it, you have them in every large protest) much less than I would that minority of TPers who have vandalized democratic offices and threatened the lives of politicians.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:
oh, and these knuckleheads are against the bailouts, yet they're protesting with unions who themselves have been bailed out.

Yeah, i noticed that too.

I think a large chunk of these folks are people who are out there because:

a) they have nothing else to do.
and b) because they just like to rant and rave about society.

A lot of them probably have no real goal other than to be disruptive.
A lot of them dont know who to be mad at.  They blame Wall Street because they dont want to blame the Dems or Obama.  And some are anarchists who are hoping for an opportunity to begin looting and burning for no other reason than to vandalize.

A handful though have thought things out and know who they want to target.  These people are likely the unions you mentioned as well as the groups funded by George Soros.  These are the ones who will probably find a way to organize and focus these protests to support their own goals.  Thousands wandering around out there with no real goal other than to just be there, who will be used absorbed by the Soros and union-funded groups.

Btw...I wouldnt be surprised if these people did organize and try to disrupt the GOP convention (much like they did at the Democratic Convention in Chicago back in '68.)

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Originally Posted by Kieran Colfer:

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

Did you see some of the protesters?  Man, most looked like they needed a bath...nasty looking kids.  Some looked like if they scratched ya you'd get cancer!

I would imagine 'SOME' really are hoping to protest peacefully.  Sadly, there are likely people sprinkled in amongst them who relish the idea of using more violent means.  

You get those guys at every protest these days, doesn't matter what the protest is they're just there to stick it to "The Man" by causing trouble.

The reason you get those at all protests now-a-days is that they are now the majority at those protests.

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Originally Posted by Bryant Platt:


1) Why do so many republicans keep trying to equate unions with corporations?  Thats an idiotic statement that I keep hearing, even from some very intelligent people.  Government actions that favor corporations usually mainly benefit the those few on top of the business with perhaps a very minor trickledown to those whose retirement includes that businesses stock.  Unions, on the other hand, represent at present 12% of America's working force and fights to improve working conditions and benefits for  all of America's blue and white collar workers.  Very anti-working class rhetoric.

Because of organized crime's historic (and current) involvement with the unions. Look at Teamsters, the Longshoreman's Unions, Hotel/Resturant Unions, etc. As far as improvements in workers conditions, insurance claims have actually had a greater effect on workers conditions than unions have. Sure 12% of tUSA's workers are unionized, but the vast majority of them are in the public sector and have no real need for protection. In the modern workplace unions are not only unneeded, but actually hamper industrial growth. Why do you think there has been an exodus from the traditional industrial centers in the north to the non-unionized south.

Originally Posted by Bryant Platt:
(2) While there is no central message to these protests, it would appear the majority of the anger is targeted at how many companies have been able to use their money to influence politicians, ultimately drowning out the voice of the American people.  There is also ample anger at banks that have screwed the American people.  Bank of America and several others have illegally foreclosed on American's homes.  Several banks accepted money from the federal government on condition they loan to businesses that otherwise would not have access to capital to expand, but instead wrote the money off as profits and gave themselves bonuses.  Sure, there are some anti-capitalists there, but it doesn't sound like they're the majority.

Yet unions are guilt free of all of this??? Yet we forget that it was political influence and vote buying that got us into this mess??? Yet we forget that government, under the guise of "social justice" has scammed even more money from it citizenry than business has??? No let's lay all of the blame at the feet of capitalism and industry. Let's just forget that there are really plenty of jobs to be had in tUSA.......we just don't want to do them.

Originally Posted by Bryant Platt:
3) I did a google search of 'Occupy Wall Street+arrested' and nothing from the last couple days came up so I don't know what you are talking about.  That said, the NYPD has shown that they're willing to arrest protesters at the slightest provocation (many of the 700 who where arrested said that the NYPD directed them onto the lower part of the bridge.  Even if those who claim that were lieing, most of them probably honestly didn't know they were not permitted down there and were just following the group.  Most if not all those arrests were bulls*&t).  So far I'd fear the few here who are looking for violence (as Miles put it, you have them in every large protest) much less than I would that minority of TPers who have vandalized democratic offices and threatened the lives of politicians.

Really, these guys get a pass, but those on the opposite end of the spectrum (and less in line with your views) do not??? The Tea Partiers are actually more scary??? Even after we have evidence that the Tea Party protests were much more civil??? This is actually amazing.

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indeed. today, unions = a democratic monopoly. unions not only launder money into the democratic coffers, but they also act as the foot soldiers and organizers of democratic causes. for instance, say you live in a state that's not a right to work state. well all of these dues paying members for these massive conglomerates of unions (afl-cio, seiu, etc)who have no choice to be in the union. and where does all that money go? to democrat election campaigns. why? because through things like the bailouts and stimulus, and infrastructure bills, and the american jobs act, (which all "puts teachers, cops and firefighters back to work) aka public sector unions get that money siphoned back to them, with really nothing going toward the improvement of our education system.

and the democrats have a monopoly on labor, whereas there is no such monopoly from corporations. the left likes to perpetuate the lie that republicans stand with the rich, while democrats are for the little people, but barack obama himself holds the record for most contributions from wall street by the way, back in 2008. funny how there are NO demonstrations in front of the white house of capital building.

how ignorant are these idiots not to recognize that they're protesting for the very same thing they're protesting against. it's this crony-capitalist, socialistic system that's the problem. and that's not just wall street's doing, it's the politicians doing, if you know anything about the housing collapse. yet they want to government to step in and fix the problem it created. that's what we need. we need more crony-capitalism where the central planners in DC pick winners and losers, such as solyndra.

anyway, i still believe that obama and the democrats are playing with fire by aligning themselves with this group, because most of america sees these communists, socialists, and anarchists walking around, and bands singing **** the usa, etc, and they see it for what it is. it's just madness, and a distraction from obama's dismal job on the economy. it ought to be called preoccupy wall street.

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I thought this was amusing.

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lol dennis