Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Third Video Of NYPD Scooter Vs. Occupy Wall Street Legal Observer
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 15, 2011
Modified Oct 15, 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
Jen Chung
Published Oct 15, 2011
Modified Oct 15, 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
Yesterday, an observer for the National Lawyers Guild had a literal run-in with a NYPD cop on a scooter during an Occupy Wall Street morning march. Videos show Ari Douglas screaming after seemingly getting run over by a scooter, but there are varying opinions about what happened: Some say he was hit by the scooter while others (like the NYPD) say Douglas put his legs under the scooter and pretended he was hit. A reader Tweeted another video and said, "My video of legal observer Ari Douglas shows he did not try to get run over by NYPD." Take a look—it's a little hard to see, because it's shaky:
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told CityRoom that Douglas "was not trapped. Independent witnesses said he purposely put his legs under the scooter and then claimed falsely he was trapped." (Keep in mind, Browne said that cops used pepper spray "appropriately" when an official sprayed apparently peaceful, kettled protesters and fellow cops and a photographer.) Browne also said that Douglas, who had been warned to stay out of the street, kicked the scooter, "After he said he was trapped, he kicked over the same scooter.”
A Daily News photographer claims that Douglas stuck his legs under the scooter, but did say the scooter hit him while another legal observer said, "His leg was stuck under the bike, and he kicked his leg to get the bike off his leg, and then the police attacked him and shoved him into the ground and put a night stick against the back of his neck." Here are the other videos:
OWS_PoliceScooter from The Local East Village on Vimeo.
Douglas was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and two counts of criminal mischief. National Lawyers Guild member Gideon Oliver told us yesterday morning that Douglas had injuries to his face, "It's outrageous he was assaulted after he was arrested."
We're told that Douglas has retained attorney Yetta Kurland in his defense, and is currently being arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court. Kurland unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2009 for the 3rd District.
Tagged
ari douglas
national lawyers guild
nypd
nypd scooter
occupy wall street
paul browne
police brutality
police force
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC’s whiplash weather continues into weekend with heavy winds, chilly temps, NWS says
Friday expect scattered showers and thunder, cooler temperatures Saturday, and a sunny Sunday.
By
Monica Melton
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 10:22 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Winning an affordable housing lottery is great unless it's not
Because the apartment might be very small and not that affordable, here are your early links: Congestion pricing is paying for new subway elevators, G.W. Bridge has a new pedestrian walkway, not so many airplane barf bags and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Winning an affordable housing lottery is great unless it's not
Because the apartment might be very small and not that affordable, here are your early links: Congestion pricing is paying for new subway elevators, G.W. Bridge has a new pedestrian walkway, not so many airplane barf bags and more.
By
James Ramsay
Mamdani and 100+ NY officials urge parking lot owners to ban ICE
By
Arya Sundaram
NYC ambulance response times have grown 41% as life-threatening calls rise
By
Ben Feuerherd
Federal judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit challenging NYC sanctuary laws
By
Phil Corso
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 .