Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Running IM from my friend in Paris who is watching it on French television news: Paris: Police are beating protesters at Herald Square Paris: There are anywhere from 200 to 1000 people at 16th and Irving, near Union sq. Police are not allowing anyone to leave. A woman is reportedly having a panic attack. The infernal noise brigade is surrounded by police at Union Sq. east. Paris: Ron this sounds like Tiannaman squre Paris: where are you kiddo Paris: 16 & 34...people being beaten while in handcuffs Paris: People are breaking through the nets at 34th and Broadway. 5 people have tied themselves to the barricades. Reportedly police are even being "very aggressive" with corporate media in this area. Police are planning to arrest everyone at Harold Sqaure (about 1000 people). It is also likely people will be arrested inside and around Union Sqaure. Paris: Indymedia reporter being denied exit from pen at 16th and irving, while "legit" media is being allowed to leave. Cop said "that's not media." Reportedly everyone on 16th will be arrested. Paris: 31.org Paris: Reportedly people are being beaten while handcuffed both at 16th street and at Herald Square. 7:54:02 PM    comment []

I am getting reports from a friend in Paris that the police in NY have finally had it with protestors and are beating and arresting them at Herald Square and at 16th Street and Irving Place. Can't seem to see anything on the "mainstream" press in the US, but Indy Media has a running description. 7:49:23 PM    comment []