Res. No. 1178
Resolution condemning the overly aggressive actions of the Bloomberg Administration that were used to evict the Occupy Wall Street protestors that occurred in the predawn hours of November 15, 2011.
By Council Members Williams, Rodriguez, Mark-Viverito and Palma
Whereas, On Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in a predawn sweep, members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) forcibly evicted the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters from Liberty Plaza, also known as Zuccotti Park, where the OWS movement began on September 17, 2011; and
Whereas, Excessive force appears to have been used to disrupt the peaceful protests and passive behavior of many OWS members during the eviction which included the arrest of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez; and
Whereas, The NYPD's inability to differentiate between civilians that pose a harm to the public and those that do not is disquieting; and
Whereas, Those protestors who resisted the efforts to clear out the park that began at roughly 1:00 a.m. were met by NYPD in riot gear with batons; and
Whereas, The destruction of the encampment that the OWS members had created at the park resulted in the seizure and possible damage to more than 5000 books that made up the "People's Library" at the park, along with the seizure and breakage of many tents, tarps, backpacks, shoes, computers, various equipment and other possessions; and
Whereas, Mayor Bloomberg has stated that his decision to move to evict the OWS protesters was not intended to hamper their constitutional rights of speech and expression; and
Whereas, Reporters, journalists and photographers from the Associated Press, the Daily News, National Public Radio (NPR) and the New York Post and other press entities were prohibited from covering the eviction of protestors and were in some cases arrested themselves; and
Whereas, According to the New York Times, the Police Commissioner stated that nearly 200 people were arrested, 142 in the park and 50 to 60 in the streets nearby; and
Whereas, According to Mayor Bloomberg, his decision to evict the OWS occupation was based on public health and safety concerns for the protesters and the surrounding community; and
Whereas, The decision by the Bloomberg Administration to undertake a police action in the early hours of the morning to forcibly remove residents of New York City, New York State and involved citizens who have traveled far and wide to join the OWS movement from Liberty Plaza since the occupation commenced was excessive and poses a threat to our civil liberties; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York condemns the overly aggressive actions of the Bloomberg Administration that were used to evict the Occupy Wall Street protestors that occurred in the predawn hours of November 15, 2011.
LS# 3069
FCC/TN
12/8/11