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Sep. 1st, 2004
a night of joy
Sep. 1st, 2004 01:11 ami left work at 830, because despite my protestations that i don't want to give free time to my employer, i don't manage to leave until late. (i was supposed to leave at 800.)
remember, i work right outside of the "safety zone" of the convention.
i managed to run into a protest as a result.
they were coming down one of the cross streets when they crossed my path. i was on the phone and followed behind to see where they were going. because they were crossing in front of my marvellous job, i followed on the side. (i was on the phone, anyway.) between wanting to maintain job security and noticing the look of shock on the residents's faces, i decided that being on the side was better. i mean, there were literally swarms of occifers. swarms. on bikes. on foot. motor bikes. plus, some cars. and vans coming along the way. just crazy. calling this city a police state is no joke.
so many freaking cops. rant.. rant...
anyway, i paused to say that they'd (those to whom i was speaking) would be fine.
by the time the group had turned the corner again, the cops had blocked off the street.
somehow, too, there ended up being a pile of cop bikes with the cops all standing around.
i'm guessing that this might lead to increased charges, somehow, against those arrested.
whilst wondering around my fine city, i overheard some people tellling legal observers that they saw some protesters being what looked like tazered.
i kept wondering and saw more swarms of coppers in union square (near nyu) with this guy playing his jazz sax.
and that was fucking awesome.
not the swarms of riot-geared folk.
but the guy playing at their feet. but not doing anything for them to justify a response, especially with so many witnesses. and the music completely befitting the situation. and the mood.
i was wishing for a video camera then more than ever.
but i really need my city back.
EDIT and did i mention the multiple hellicopters?
remember, i work right outside of the "safety zone" of the convention.
i managed to run into a protest as a result.
they were coming down one of the cross streets when they crossed my path. i was on the phone and followed behind to see where they were going. because they were crossing in front of my marvellous job, i followed on the side. (i was on the phone, anyway.) between wanting to maintain job security and noticing the look of shock on the residents's faces, i decided that being on the side was better. i mean, there were literally swarms of occifers. swarms. on bikes. on foot. motor bikes. plus, some cars. and vans coming along the way. just crazy. calling this city a police state is no joke.
so many freaking cops. rant.. rant...
anyway, i paused to say that they'd (those to whom i was speaking) would be fine.
by the time the group had turned the corner again, the cops had blocked off the street.
somehow, too, there ended up being a pile of cop bikes with the cops all standing around.
i'm guessing that this might lead to increased charges, somehow, against those arrested.
whilst wondering around my fine city, i overheard some people tellling legal observers that they saw some protesters being what looked like tazered.
i kept wondering and saw more swarms of coppers in union square (near nyu) with this guy playing his jazz sax.
and that was fucking awesome.
not the swarms of riot-geared folk.
but the guy playing at their feet. but not doing anything for them to justify a response, especially with so many witnesses. and the music completely befitting the situation. and the mood.
i was wishing for a video camera then more than ever.
but i really need my city back.
EDIT and did i mention the multiple hellicopters?
