Since the 700 arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge, a class action lawsuit has been filed yesterday, against the City of New York, among others.
After escorting and leading a group of demonstrators and others well out onto the Brooklyn Bridge roadway, the NYPD suddenly and without warning curtailed further forward movement, blocked the ability of persons to leave the Bridge from the rear, and arrested hundreds of protestors in the absence of probable cause. This was a form of entrapment, both illegal and physical.
It also goes on with:
Instead, the NYPD engaged in a performance, videotaped it, and sprang their trap. They then set their PR machine into motion, distributing widely edited videos of events to spin a false narrative of events to the public and media.
And:
This complaint seeks, in addition to monetary compensation, injunctive relief enjoining defendants from engaging in the challenged conduct in the future, and order nullifying the arrests, and expunging all arrest records.
Yesterday 700 people were arrested for what appeared to be "protesting." The Occupy Wall St. movement was performing a normal day's agenda of going through various parts of the city while others went other places.
Upon their upcoming walk was the Brooklyn Bridge, and it appeared that many of people felt OK to take the Brooklyn-bound road, because reportedly, no one received any warnings to go any where else.
I've found two videos, including a step by step video of what took place, according to Occupy Wall St.. This video will demonstrate that there appeared to be no confusion, and police unraveling the orange net, as-well as marching behind the protesters preparing to arrest them all. Some walked away, however police did not seem to care.
The New York Times will show you the video of the police arresting and going in-circles with protesters, but what they will not show you is the full clip that demonstrated peace among the protesters. Some struggled, but were finally broke away from the crowd.
Here, also a video of a Navy Vet that was arrested gives his story of being on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Update October 5, 2011, 4:28: Another video that I've come across.
Now back to the normal article.
In the description of the above video, you will see:
NY Times reporter arrested on the scene with the protestors initially reported police allowed them to enter the Brooklyn Bridge, then blocked them in and arrested them. The NY Times changed their story to match the official police version 20 minutes later, saying the protestors entered the bridge despite repeated warnings not to enter the bridge.
Credit: ?
"In a tense showdown [...]"
Still, this is what the New York Times is reporting, even after countless videos of people explaining what took place. Who is lying? The mass count of people? I'm interested to find out, but from what I'm seeing, the New York Times is lying and attempting to promote violence through misinterpretation, and mal-information.
Confirmed below that people were allowed & trapped
People are being innocently arrested at Brooklyn Bridge for apparently no reason. The almost 20,000 people that tuned in, seen the unnecessary arrests made by police.
The protest or "march" on the bridge was peaceful and actions by police some called unacceptable. One officer, appeared to be arresting a young female.
The crowd of protesters stood back cheered on their fellow protesters, chanting "Hey hey, ho ho. Corporate greed has got to go."
People are reporting that they trapped. 350 according to the stream, and 75700 confirmed arrested. Media team may have also been arrested.
Update 7:21PM: I've been able to re-watch the pre-recorded version and the camera operator said that they are in-fact trapping them in.
I've also captured the pictures of what looks like a young girl that was being arrested. Before this, she was talking on a phone I believe. (I should note her age is not yet confirmed, she only appears to be underage)
As-well as another angle of the bridge & arrest.
From what I'm hearing, they are loading people onto buses.
Updated 10:50PM:
Here's the full video without signal drops, and an edit that has been posted to YouTube. One by one these people are taken from the crowd and put under arrest. Including the young girl being arrested. At 8 minutes in, a man struggles to not go with the police officers, and is yanked even harder finally being broke away from the crowd - He appears to get slammed to the ground afterwards.
The crowd also relays messages to each other by saying and repeating "mic check" to make sure they hear each other. Afterward saying "If you get arrested, tell us your name"
From the YouTube description (Read below for audio transcript)
An arrested member provides an audio account of what happened on the brooklyn bridge, october 1st, 2011 with the protestors of occupywallst and the NYPD. NOTE NYPD leading the march onto the bridge, without any words of warning or attempts to derail the march. Normally, you are not allowed to step off the sidewalk without a reprimand and warning.
I would like to add, Almost all cops encountered in blue shirts were very nice people, just having to do their jobs. We respect them and their families, as we respect all. We want you to understand, we are doing this for all of you as well.
solidarity.
Chris is the person's name speaking in this video. Here is a short text version.
[..] This was one of the bigger marches of the week - The evening march of Saturday. We were walking the Brooklyn Bridge. The cops were walking along, and allowing people onto the bridge. There were people that were on the pedestrian pathway. [..] Very quickly the cars were stopped by police, and the lane suddenly opened up. Which caused us to start running to close the gaps. and then there was about 200-300 police that either stopped the rest of the protest, or followed up the back of, and they were marching in a line of the back of the Brooklyn Bridge so we had no exit. At the front the same thing was happening.
