NYC Police Assault Critical Resistance Activists

[Ivo Skoric]

Inch by inch, moving to the police state...

------- Forwarded message follows -------
http://www.criticalresistance.org/

Media contact: Mervyn Marcano
646-336-6789 ext. 104
crnyc at criticalresistance.org.

On Saturday night, Critical Resistance's Northeast Regional Office 
was descended upon by a large number of marked New York City police 
cars. Eight people were arrested, all of whom have since been 
released.

Up to 100 people were at the office attending a fund raising event 
for activists of color.  The attenders were indiscriminately sprayed 
with chemical agents, beaten with night sticks, and harassed by a 
throng of police officers.  Witnesses say there was no cause for the 
assaults and the subsequent arrests following the attacks.

Reportedly over 25 police vehicles arrived at 968 Atlantic Avenue at
around 2 AM to investigate an officer's report of someone standing
outside the party allegedly holding an "open container".  Within
minutes, the police unleashed their wave of violence onto the crowd. 
Over 20 people are experiencing effects of the pepper spray that was
erratically sprayed into the air by the officers.

All tenants of the private, residential building were present at the
event.  None of them requested police assistance, and no one in the
building placed a complaint with the precinct or the emergency
response system.  Witnesses report that no warrant was presented upon
police entrance.  Organizers responded peacefully to police threats
and physical provocation.

"I was stunned at the severity of the attack, and I am genuinely
concerned for the safety and well-being of those who were unfairly
detained and arrested", said a witness at the scene of the incident.

Legal council at the scene confirmed that at least 8 arrests were
made.  Preliminary allegations include violation of disorderly
conduct, resisting arrest, and inciting to riot, all of which are
classified as misdemeanors.  Emergency medical technicians visited 
the precinct to attend to those who sustained serious injuries, which
include bruised ribs, a spinal injury, and severe blows to the head.

More to follow ...
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Ivo Skoric
19 Baxter Street
Rutland VT 05701
802.775.7257
ivo at balkansnet.org
balkansnet.org