NYC Protest watch
Here are just some of the happenings in NYC this week as NYC prepares to host the 2004 Republican National Convention:
Anti-Bush Protestors Heckle Broadway Theatergoers
Dozens of demonstrators heckled and jeered Broadway theatergoers on Sunday, seeking confrontations with Republican delegates who arrived in New York City to back President Bush’s reelection bid.
Police arrested up to 60 protesters who assembled in Times Square at dusk chanting anti-Bush slogans after hundreds of thousands had marched in Manhattan to decry the president’s policies before the Republican convention begins on Monday.But individual protesters kept tensions high, some of them hissing or cursing at well-heeled couples heading to popular Broadway musicals like “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“Republican murderers go home and kill your babies!” one young man yelled at theatergoers, a far cry from local public service messages urging New Yorkers to “make nice” to party delegates in the city for the four-day convention, where Bush will be nominated for another four-year term.
A second protester shoved a middle-aged woman in a black cocktail dress, shouting:
“Bitch, go home! We don’t want you here!” At one point, police cordoned off a city block after several dozen demonstrators jeered and razzed the incoming audience.
Bearing flag-draped boxes resembling coffins and fly-swatters with President Bush’s image, more than 100,000 protesters peacefully swarmed Manhattan’s streets on the eve of the Republican National Convention to demand that President Bush be turned out of office. *snip*
However, nine members of anarchist group Black Block were charged with felony assault after a confrontation with police, Kelly said. Offiicers attempted to arrest one group member for burning a paper mache dragon, and others then threw metal barriers at police officers, he said.
Three officers were injured and one was hospitalized with an eye injury, Kelly said.
It’s only just beginning.