11.15.11
Coup de main
The New York Times is running several pieces on the police coup de main Mayor Bloomberg achieved at Zucotti Park last night.
OWS was evicted, the mainstream media suppressed and a court order ignored.
In the long run it could get ugly as the only response when peaceful protests are illegally quashed is escalation.
Naturally, you can always find locals to side with the forces for cleanliness and order. Protests and gatherings are too messy.
The clearing of Zuccotti Park struck a deep blow to the Occupy Wall Street movement, which had used the site as its physical and spiritual heart. But as the newly ousted protesters gathered in Foley Square to decide what to do next, many residents, workers and business owners near the park felt deep relief. ” Super ecstatic,” said a young office worker. “Definitely relieved,” said a young woman working behind the counter at Panini & Co., a cafe overlooking the park.
Paul Bruno, 54, who lives in the Bronx but has serviced elevators in Lower Manhattan for 30 years, had lunched daily in the park. He agreed with the protesters’ message, he said, but not their means. “The movement is the right movement,” he said, “but the movement got lost.”
Another man, who worked nearby and said he could not give his name because it was against his company’s rules, said it was time for the park to be cleared.
“It started out as a cool grassroots movement, he said, ” and then it turned into a big homeless camp.”
Still residents described a frightening scene last night, with police rushing into the park, bright lights glaring and helicopters whirring above. Mark Scherzer, a lawyer who lives half a block from the park, said he found the clearing deeply upsetting.
“I think the protesters were doing a valuable service,” he said, “And I think it was lawful for them to be there.”