Protest Arrests of NYC Gaza Protesters

[PhillyActivists]

Break the Seige on Gaza Coalition
www.bsg-ny.org
info at bsg-ny.org

15,000 March Against Israel's Crimes in Gaza
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