Bloomberg's Statement on Clearing of Zuccotti Park

[UnrepentantLiberal]

Source: New York Times

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg released a statement early Tuesday morning on the police action that cleared protesters from Zuccotti Park, describing the protest site as "a place where people came not to protest, but rather to break laws":

At one o'clock this morning, the New York City Police Department and the owners of Zuccotti Park notified protestors in the park that they had to immediately remove tents, sleeping bags and other belongings, and must follow the park rules if they wished to continue to use it to protest. Many protestors peacefully complied and left. At Brookfield's request, members of the NYPD and Sanitation Department assisted in removing any remaining tents and sleeping bags. This action was taken at this time of day to reduce the risk of confrontation in the park, and to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighborhood.

Protestors were asked to temporarily leave the park while this occurred, and have been told that they will be free to return to the park once Brookfield finishes cleaning it later morning. Protestors - and the general public - are welcome there to exercise their First Amendment rights, and otherwise enjoy the park, but will not be allowed to use tents, sleeping bags, or tarps and, going forward, must follow all park rules.

The law that created Zuccotti Park required that it be open for the public to enjoy for passive recreation 24 hours a day. Ever since the occupation began, that law has not been complied with, as the park has been taken over by protestors, making it unavailable to anyone else.

Read more: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/updates-on-the-clearing-of-zuccotti-park/?src=twt&twt=cityroom#bloombergs-statement-on-clearing-of-zuccotti-park

[UnrepentantLiberal]

1. The Occupy Wall Street protesters with their live feed are heading

for Bloomberg's press conference. http://www.ustream.tv/theother99

I hope they mic check him. (As I'm typing this while listening to the live feed they say they are going to mic check him.) Let's watch...

[ProfessionalLeftist]

2. The law HAS been complied with: "passive recreation 24 hours a day"

is exactly what OWS was doing!

Oh. And we're back to that "cleaning the park" excuse again eh?

What a crock o shiite.

[Javaman]

3. note to bloombags, a judge begs to differ.

once again bloomdick talks out his ass.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. Turdbloom needs to stop trying to change existing laws in the middle of the night

in order to have excuses to brutalize peaceful protesters who are obeying them

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. "...reduce the risk of confrontation in the park, and to minimize disruption ..."

Horseshit.

To reduce scrutiny.

[Hugin]

6. You've made your move, Bloomberg.

The ball is in OWS's court.

[backtoblue]

7. what a dick.

I wonder how many "new rules" will be posted before people can return.

[ragemage]

8. they are getting nervous

The powerful elite must be getting nervous. They have told Bloomberg to clear the park using whatever means necessary. However they do not understand how this looks to the rest of the world. Forcibly removing peaceful protesters from a public park.

[Zoeisright]

9. Well, this certainly reminds me of something.

Tienanmen Square.