New York Times: Streets to Be Blocked to Secure GOP Convention

[Jack Rabbit]

From The New York Times
Dated Saturday June 26

New York Streets to Be Blocked to Secure G.O.P. Convention
By Winnie Hu and Michael Slackman

New York City announced ambitious security measures yesterday for the Republican National Convention, including shutting down Midtown thoroughfares for hours each day, putting a concrete barrier around Madison Square Garden, and letting protesters get only as close as one corner of the convention site.
Though city and convention officials said they would be working to reduce the inconvenience to people not involved with the convention, they acknowledged that disruptions would occur across large swaths of Manhattan.
They also say the first day of the convention — Aug. 30 — will be the most difficult because the convention will hold a morning and nighttime session, requiring traffic diversions during the morning and afternoon rushes.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly, outlined for the first time a security plan that will essentially close the area around Madison Square Garden to the public.

Read more.

[Baltimoreboy]

1. I said this is what they would do yesterday

I was told it would cause too much disruption.

[aquart]

2. This is a massive RETAIL area during BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING!!!

Are they trying to bankrupt these merchants? Does Macy's need the Republican Convention or does it need customers with growing children buying shoes, boots, coats, pants, and skirts?

This city hasn't recovered from 9/11 and the Republicans do us this huge favor of destroying a major retailing season?

WHAT OSAMA DID FOR DOWNTOWN, THE GOP DOES FOR MIDTOWN!

Unbelievable. WHY couldn't these morons book the Javitts Center which is clean away from retailing?

[Manix]

3. ..they don't give a rat's ass about NYC...just want to milk 911 and leave

[Raster]

5. no shit... NYC is just one big photo op for the repugs, that's all

[kungfugrip]

19. It's filled with those gays and minorities

That's why they wanted the convention on a friggin boat. Jerks.

[Hekate]

4. I detect a pattern here...

Wherever there are Dubya-related-activities, there is an increasing tendency to go for complete lockdown of the surrounding area. Why midtown? Because they can.

A retired friend of mine is going to NYC to participate in the protests. I can only hope that the NYPD, unlike Florida, doesn't get drunk on an infusion of Homeland Security anti-terrorism cash and does remember that the citizenry is not the enemy.

Hekate

[Baltimoreboy]

6. I hope so too

But from the sounds of some here, they might well give the police ample reason to be aggressive.

[hang a left]

7. This was being discussed at length in GD a couple of days ago.

You may want to post over there as well. Lot's of action tonight.

[SoDesuKa]

8. They'll Need a Backup Plan

This plan is overly optimistic. At a minimum, 7th and 8th Avenues will be closed off, as well as the crosstown streets from 31th through 34th Streets. Where is the crowd supposed to go - 6th Avenue?

I have a feeling this is going to generate an enormous amount of animosity. Those Republicans better not be wearing Bush buttons.

[Baltimoreboy]

9. Which crowd?

Conventioneers will stay within the cordon. Protesters will be far away.

[belle]

10. I think I'll be protesting from somewhere else altogether. Iceland, maybe

Or, if that's not feasible, maybe P-town, or even upstate NY. anywhere out of there. fucking Republicans, let *them* swelter in NYC August and welcome to it. I just hope all their A.C. *and* their deoderant fails.

[Habibi]

13. Really.

This is going to be like 1992 all over again--remember that? Smug hate-speech came out of the Republican convention that year--and it didn't sit well with a lot of Americans. This will have the same effect. But you can't expect those clueless motherfuckers to realize it.

[gauguin57]

11. booooooooooo!

And double boooooooo!

Hasn't New York suffered enough? It's just STARTING to get back to normal after 9/11, and now the 'pugs are gonna shut down midtown?

Whaaaaaaaaaa?

And how far away from the convention venue is the "Free to Show my Naked Liberal Butt Zone" going to be? I need to know these things!

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Like the Republicans care

New York usually votes Democratic. If you want to know what the Bushies do to places that vote Democratic, ask us out here in California.

[PaDUer]

29. I heard they were going to push

it back to the Queens, NY area!

[Habibi]

14. Jesus Christ. This is insane.

--snip--

People who work within the sealed area will be given credentials to get to their workplaces, the police said. Those who do not have such credentials, but need to get inside, will be asked to show identification and then will be escorted to their destination.

--snip--

Sounds like the Green Zone in Bhagdad.

[Baltimoreboy]

15. It's exactly how DC handled World Bank protests

And most workers just stayed home.

[Habibi]

16. Okay. If I worked there, and I could afford to,

I'd stay home, too. (Or else show up on the protest line.) But boy! imagine all the hourly-wage slaves who are not going to be able to *afford* to stay home! If they have to go through shit to get to their shit jobs so they can pay rent on their shit apartments, I think some righteous voter registration is in the offing.

Jeez, Republicans are dumb. :D

[Baltimoreboy]

26. Why? How many people in that area are Republicans?

[Habibi]

27. Hopefully

a lot fewer after the convention than now.


Edited to replace "more" with "fewer." Need. more. coffee.

[acmavm]

24. Yes, it does sound like the Green Zone. The very idea that they have to

cordon off a section of one of the most progressive cities in this country should tell them something. The clown that they're fronting as pResident has made the republican party so damn unpopular that they have to hide behind concrete and police now. If that doesn't tell them something about how out-of-line they are with reality, nothing will.

This is not America anymore. This is a very frightening place.

[struggle4progress]

17. I guess New Yorkers may as well just go to the protests then. eom

[Bridget Burke]

18. Relevant Danziger cartoon?

[truthisfreedom]

20. unwelcome. that's the message. and they'll get it, too.

thugs go home to mommy. now.

[dbt]

21. Cell phone shutdowns as well?

I believe areas around bu$h were blacked out--varying radii and varying durations--for cell phones during the Imperial Tour of Ireland. One wonders if such a double-edged sword will be employed in NYC.

:freak:
dbt

[Demeter]

22. Paging Dale Carnegie: Call Your Office

GOP on Line 2!

[Norquist Nemesis]

23. They should put Zell Miller in as traffic cop

and hang a honk if you love the GOP sign on him.

[dusty64]

25. This ought to make

the backlash that much greater. rethug party to New York, "Go fuck yourself!".

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

28. Repub Convention setup is a total disaster now. They chose NYC

at the height of imperial arrogance, choosing a Dem stronghold to try to demagogue 9/11 and their stupid ass war.

Now they are stuck having their convention in the middle of a Dem stronghold that hates and rejects them, having to cordon off half the city to avoid the jeers of the protestors.

And the Iraq invasion and occupation is a festering mess -- the 9/11 hypeage, to the extent that they proceed with it, will only reinforce the dishonesty with which this event was linked to Iraq and the people's distaste for and rejection for the war. (Even though many of those same people were waving little flags at Toby Keith concerts a year or so ago.)

:nopity:

[Baltimoreboy]

30. No matter where they held it, there would be a cordon

They could have held it in Salt Lake City of Texas and there still would be a huge security cordon.

Likely cities will seek to avoid events of this nature in the future.