Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD Planted Undercover Cop To Protest With Pro-"Ground Zero Mosque" Group
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 21, 2011
Modified Sep 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 21, 2011
Modified Sep 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Those protesting corporate greed on Wall Street today should be careful about what they say to their comrades: the NYPD placed at least one undercover officer in a demonstration supporting Park 51 held on September 11, 2010. The Daily News learned of "UC 242's" participation in the rally during a discussion that Manhattan prosecutors had in court about a conflict of interest posed in the "synagogue terrorists" trial. UC 242 received a summons for not showing NYPD his badge, which he did "to maintain his cover…to build solidarity with protestors," a lawyer for the defense team says.
That rally was largely peaceful, save for someone on the Anti-Terror-Victory-Mosque-SHARIA-not-racist team, who tore up and burned a copy of the Koran. Hopefully the NYPD is an equal-opportunity spying organization and has a mole writing for Atlas Shrugs.
Those of you who aren't too worried about the impact that undercover officers have on free speech should watch Better This World, a documentary detailing how the actions of an FBI informant entrapped two young, left-leaning protestors into manufacturing molotov cocktails at the 2008 GOP convention.
Tagged
first amendment
ground zero mosque
islam
nypd
park 51
sharia
war on terror
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .