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JohnT
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Capitalist
Mar 1999
time: 00:36
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Now the protesters are attacking the police:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/n...ynews-headlines
quote:
Police search for assailant as criticism mounts
BY SEAN GARDINER AND LORETTA CHAO
Staff Writers
September 1, 2004
As police asked for the public's help finding a protester who attacked a police officer during a demonstration, civil rights officials charged yesterday that inflexible police tactics were partially to blame for the assault.
Det. William Sample was knocked off his scooter Monday night after driving into a crowd of protesters on Eighth Avenue near 29th Street, then kicked and punched by a man until rendered unconscious.
The attacker snuck away through a throng of police, escaping even after an the officer grabbed him and pushed him back into the crowd.
Sample was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital and may have suffered a concussion in what Police Commissioner Ray Kelly called a "blatant, vicious attack."
But officials from the New York Civil Liberties Union said police tactics exacerbated an already volatile situation. (  - JT)
"There was a complete lack of flexibility and communication," said Christopher Dunn, NYCLU associate legal director.
Paul Browne, a police spokesman, retorted, "citing communication as a rationale for the vicious beating of an officer is mind-boggling." (  )
The clash began when police attempted to place metal barriers across the intersection around 8 p.m. but didn't announce what they were doing, said Alex Vitale, an NYCLU consultant. Protesters assumed they were going to be arrested and linked arms to block the barriers, Vitale said.
Two dozen police in riot gear then rushed in, followed by the officers wearing regular clothes on unmarked scooters. Vitale said only after some of the protesters were injured by the scooters was the officer attacked.
"Use of these pens is a potential flash-point for confrontation," Vitale said.
Browne said the protesters, marching for Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at E. 47th and Second Avenue Monday and wanted to march even though they didn't have a permit. Police accommodated them and even provided an escort.
When police tried to place barriers to allow emergency vehicles cross-town access, protesters grabbed the barriers and threw one of them at the officers, Browne said. Sample was hurt coming to those officers' aid.
The placement of barriers on the south side of an intersection is designed to avoid penning in protesters, Browne said, and was lauded by protest organizers, including the NYCLU, at an anti-war protest in March.
The police yesterday asked anyone who witnessed or videotaped the attack to contact them at 1-800-577-TIPS. They were also looking for a "legal adviser" from the National Lawyers Guild who was filmed watching the attack.
"Rather than come up with rationale for an assault on a police officer it would be helpful if any of the 20 so-called legal advisers would come forward with information to help us identify the assailant," Browne said. |
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GePap
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of the Big Apple
Nov 2001
time: 23:36
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http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/24/new...n_rnc_nyc.reut/
quote:
Convention could cost NYC $309 million
Mayor claims RNC convention will help the city, but the comptroller's office sees big price tag.
August 24, 2004: 5:50 PM EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City stands to lose about $309 million as a result of the Republican National Convention, the city comptroller's office reported Tuesday, contrary to the city's claim of a $265 million economic gain.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has touted the four-day event that starts on Aug. 30 as an economic boom, bringing in about 50,000 visitors to the city, including 14,000 delegates.
Many of the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden, the site of the convention, will be closed to traffic, and businesses in the area have been bracing for what they lament could be a financially draining week.
Eli Rios, who owns Aurora Gallery as well as a fine art restoration business just two blocks from the convention site, is trying to rent his space for parties and art shows during the political fest, rather than use it for restoration jobs.
"It's not that I won't have work for the restorers to do. I have plenty of work. But with the streets closed off, the entrance to our block is closed. The problem is getting the work in and out," he said.
In reaching its $265 million economic gain estimate, the city has factored in local business concerns and a potential flight of New York City residents during the week, said Michael Sherman, a spokesman for the city's Economic Development Corporation.
That figure includes direct and indirect spending by the city, the host committee, the national Republican Party and the roughly 50,000 visitors, Sherman said.
"We have looked at all those issues and we still think that there will be a very positive overall benefit," he said.
However, an unofficial analysis by City Comptroller William Thompson estimated the potential $309 million blow to the city using a calculation that assumes a $70.3 million daily loss of the city's gross city product, or $281.2 million over the four days.
Added to that is $28 million from security costs that will not be reimbursed, he said. The total security tab for New York City's Police Department is forecast at $78 million, Thompson said, with about $50 million in federal funding. That's the same amount of federal funding received by Boston, site of last month's Democratic National Convention.
Marsha Van Wagner, an economist with the Citizens Budget Commission, a fiscal watchdog group, said residents' exiting the city for less congested climes may have a negative impact for the week, but in the aggregate it will not really drain the city of revenue.
"Most people who are leaving aren't going to take extra vacation time, they're just moving vacation time around," she said.
A major unknown is how much the visitors will really spend in the city, because many are getting freebies and discounts on hotel rooms and attractions, and the tight security may deter them from venturing too far, she said.
Judging from the lack of reservations received at the Tribeca Grill, Nobu and Montrachet, some of the city's best-known restaurants, they do not appear to be lining up to spend in lower Manhattan.
Nobu, which usually is fully booked a month in advance, still has dinner seating available and lunch is wide open, said Tracy Nieporent of the Myriad Restaurant Group, owner of the restaurants.
"The way it's playing out right now, the convention isn't doing much for business," he said. |
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OliverFA
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Leeds, UK
Sep 2002
time: 06:36
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quote:
Originally posted by GePap
They hate us, have said that vocally for years, have acted in that hatred of us by denying us billions in dollars and not fulfilling their promises to us, and we are supposed to let them in with arms outstreched!? **** NO. When republicans act like they actually think NYC part of the US and not just a cheap political tool to impress the folks back elsewhere by using 9/11 as a boogeyman, then we will welcome them. |
That´s very curious. You are complaining that "they" hate you. At least in your point of view that´s true. They hate you. And what is your answer? You answer them with hate. This is not the way to go. You cannot criticize something and then do the same.
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MRT144
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Seattle Washington
Oct 2002
time: 21:36
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oliver, its true though. the people of backwater bergs in the US hate new york, (or california) and really wouldnt mind if they left the union
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OliverFA
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Leeds, UK
Sep 2002
time: 06:36
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And the demonstrations are also only words?
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Ming
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quote:
Originally posted by GePap
It should be obvious to everyone the only reason they even dared think NYC was to use 9/11 for all the political gain they could. |
An opinion... and while it may be true, do you remember how hard your city worked to get the convention... the deals they had to make... the concessions they made... here is an interesting piece from right after the won the convention.
quote:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today expressed his enthusiasm for the Republican National Convention (RNC) Site Selection Committee's recommendation of New York City to host the 2004 Republican National Convention. After months of bidding led by Mayor Bloomberg, the RNC selected New York City for the first time in its history. The Convention, which will take place in Madison Square Garden, is expected to generate over $150 million in economic activity and put New York City firmly at the center of the world's stage. Nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend the convention including over 15,000 members of the media.
"The Republican National Committee will make history by coming to New York City for the 2004 National Convention," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This is an incredible boost for New York City and the Republican National Committee's decision shows that if you want to promote your ideas and vision for the country, there's no place better in the world to do it than New York City. I can't thank President Bush and the Republican National Committee enough for their faith in New York."
Mayor Bloomberg hand delivered New York City's bid to RNC Chairman Governor Marc Racicot and National Site Selection Committee Chairperson Ellen Williams in Washington, D.C. on June 17th, kicking off over six months of intense lobbying. Mayor Bloomberg reached agreements with the City's labor unions to sign "no strike" agreements that would ensure all work during and around the Convention proceeds smoothly, and signed agreements that secure more than 22,000 hotel rooms for the Convention from nearly fifty hotels, with nearly 17,000 rooms located within one mile of Madison Square Garden. Almost 9,000 hotel rooms will be available to the delegates and attendees at an average rate of $156 a night.
New York City secured the convention through a number of innovative measures, including submitting the only bid to the RNC that was entirely privately financed and included no publicly appropriated funds. The Host Committee's budget totals $80 million, which will be guaranteed by a line of credit to be purchased by the Host Committee next week. The Federal Election Commission also provides some public financing for the presidential conventions, generally in the range of $10-$15 million per convention.
Mayor Bloomberg put together a "Dream Team" of top New York City Republicans to lobby the RNC, including Roland W. Betts, Chairman and Founder of Chelsea Piers, LP, Marie-Josée Kravis, Senior Fellow of the Hudson Institute, Inc., Jack M. Hennessy, Senior Advisor of Credit Suisse First Boston, and RNC and Host Committee Liaison Andi Bernstein, Vice President of Oxygen Media. Mayor Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki are the Host Committee's honorary chairs for the Convention; former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani serves as committee chairman.
Mayor Bloomberg and the Host Committee also reached an agreement with the United States Postal Service to use the Farley Post Office Building, which is located directly across the street from Madison Square Garden, as a 330,000 square foot media center during the Convention. The Farley Building also includes the largest loading dock in Manhattan. A secure, dedicated pedestrian bridge will be constructed across Eighth Avenue, allowing delegates and members of the media to swiftly move from the Convention floor to the Farley Building (please see attached sketch).
"Creating a state of the art media facility right across the street from Madison Square Garden and making it all accessible through a pedestrian bridge over 8th Avenue ensures that this will be one of the most innovative and media-friendly conventions in history," said Mayor Bloomberg. "New York City is already the media capital of the world. Now, all the networks will have to do is move their equipment a few blocks downtown and they'll be poised and ready to capture every moment of the Convention and everything this city has to offer."
"The Republican National Committee's decision to hold the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City for the first time in history is of tremendous importance to the city," said Cristyne L. Nicholas, President & CEO of NYC & Company, the city's official tourism marketing organization. "The convention represents 100,000 hotel room nights in typically slow late August. It represents priceless worldwide television, radio and print coverage at a time when it is of supreme economic importance to communicate images of a resurgent New York City. And it emphasizes the fact that New York continues to be the world capital of major events and conventions."
"We salute the Republican Site Selection Committee for their choice of New York and Madison Square Garden and we congratulate the Mayor and Governor for their tireless and successful efforts," said Charles F. Dolan, Chairman, Cablevision Systems Corporation. "We are thrilled to host such a prestigious and important event and will do everything possible to make it a resounding success for New York."
Among the reasons the RNC selected New York City include:
Madison Square Garden: Madison Square Garden is the world's most famous arena. The Garden offers state-of-the art technical capability, optimal for television coverage, and is conveniently located next to transit hubs, hotels, restaurants, stores, theatres, and a variety of other attractions.
Transportation: New York City has the most extensive and efficient mass transit system in the world. The City also offers an array of transportation alternatives, including taxis, private cars, ferries, and buses. Unlike most American cities, New York City is also a walking town where streets are alive and inviting, and destinations are pedestrian-accessible. Passenger rail transportation and three major airports in the metropolitan area also serve the City.
Communications: New York City is the technology and media center of the nation and offers one of the world's most extensive communications infrastructures. With the innovative use of the Farley Building as a media center, New York City became a natural choice for both the RNC and the easiest and most convenient option for the media itself.
Safety and Security: New York City's experience in hosting large, security-intensive events is unparalleled, as demonstrated at this year's World Economic Forum. The New York Police Department is the largest police force in the nation and New York City is far and away the nation's safest big city. Under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership, crime has declined by an additional 6% in 2002, placing New York City between Provo, Utah, and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. in terms of its crime rate per 100,000 people (neither Provo nor Rancho Cucamonga bid for the 2004 Republican National Convention).
Diversity: New York City is the world's most diverse city, with residents from over 170 nations, and over 160 languages spoken. Over 40% of the city's residents are foreign born.
Hotels, Restaurants, Theater and Entertainment: New York City welcomed over 38 million visitors from around the globe in 2000. New York City is the nation's (if not the world's) unparalleled leader in restaurants, theater, hotel accommodations, excitement and entertainment, offering the Convention's delegates a plethora of ways to spend their time and money.
Over 45,000 people attended the 2000 Republican National Convention, held at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. In addition to the $100 million in direct revenue created by the Convention, an additional $200-$300 million in indirect revenue was also produced. Over 15,000 members of the media attended the Convention, including 1,500 news organizations, 440 daily press outlets, 330 television outlets, and 217 radio outlets.
The Republican National Convention is the latest major event New York City has set its sights on; New York City was designated as the United States Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games and is also bidding to host the Super Bowl. Last year the City hosted the World Economic Forum and the NFL's kick off rally in Times Square and will host the 2003 WNBA All-Star game. Mayor Bloomberg has been working hard to bring as many major events to New York City as possible to generate revenue and promote tourism.
"Getting the Convention shows just how much this City can accomplish," Mayor Bloomberg concluded. "From Governor Pataki's strong and unyielding leadership to our Dream Team Host Committee's unparalleled lobbying efforts to Chuck Dolan and everyone at Madison Square Garden's commitment to providing the ideal venue to Brian McLaughlin and the entire labor community's willingness to come together and ensure the Convention proceeds smoothly and efficiently, we were able to offer everything the Republican National Committee could possibly want. As a result, we got exactly what we wanted: the Convention, the profound economic activity it generates, and all of good publicity for our City that comes with it."
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New York fought hard to get the convention... it was a "two way street" 
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OliverFA
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Leeds, UK
Sep 2002
time: 06:36
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I have a question about the convention. I hope you can answer it.
It seems that New York "people" hates Republicans, and if the convention is there it is only because their mayor asked for it. But... isn´t the mayor elected by the people? and doesn´t it mean that the majority of people in New York are Republicans or sympathize with Republicans?
I am more inclined to believe that all the demonstrators come from all around the US, and maybe even from outside
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GePap
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of the Big Apple
Nov 2001
time: 23:36
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quote:
Originally posted by OliverFA
I have a question about the convention. I hope you can answer it.
It seems that New York "people" hates Republicans, and if the convention is there it is only because their mayor asked for it. But... isn´t the mayor elected by the people? and doesn´t it mean that the majority of people in New York are Republicans or sympathize with Republicans?
I am more inclined to believe that all the demonstrators come from all around the US, and maybe even from outside |
Bloomberg was a democrat until 2001, when he switched parties because he had no chance in hell to win the democratic primaries given all the seasoned politicans who were running that year since Rudy was on the way out- he benefitted greatly from a vicious democratic primary, and spending 75 MILLION dollars of his own.
In fact, NYC has 5 borough presidents, only 1 of which is republican, 51 City councilmembers, only 3 of which are republicans, we have only one republican congressman from the 12 or so or so from the city. so forth and so on.
This is a democratic city. Though yes, lots of the protestors come from outside the city.
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mrmitchell
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quote:
We're in a war and Democrats are complaining about health care after 8 years of Clinton? |
I don't get you here. Are you claiming starting a war is a fair excuse that significant numbers of Arkansans have no health coverage, and that Candidate Y would bring that number down by 290,000?
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01-09-2004 20:56
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