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Old Man Bloomberg Won't Kick Kids Off Zuccotti Lawn
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 10, 2011
Modified Oct 10, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 10, 2011
Modified Oct 10, 2011
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In a major reversal from his derisive comments on Friday, Mayor Bloomberg has said that the Occupy Wall Street protesters may stay indefinitely in Zuccotti Park, so long as they do not break any laws. "The bottom line is, people want to express themselves. And as long as they obey the laws, we’ll allow them to,” Bloomberg told the Wall Street Journal. “If they break the laws, then, we’re going to do what we’re supposed to do: enforce the laws.” Occupy Wall Street spokesman Patrick Bruner told us that while he was happy with the mayor's comments, "It's always been our postion that we don't need any permission to exercise our rights."
Bloomberg said he had "no idea" how long the protests might last (organizers say indefinitely) but went on to foreshadow what some have said is the only PR-friendly way for the park's joint-owner, Brookfield Properties: “I think part of it has probably to do with the weather." Because of its designation as a wholly public space, Brookfield may have a hard time evicting the demonstrators even if they wanted to.
Before the Occupy Wall Street movement saw visits from celebrities and activist Al Sharpton, four protesters were arrested today in Zuccotti Park. According to the NYPD two arrests were for disorderly conduct, another was for "inflicting damage to the sidewalk," and the fourth was for an outstanding warrant. "I understand that the young lady who was arrested for writing a message of solidarity with the NYPD on the sidewalk," Bruner said. "We believe two of those arrests were related to those who were detained using videocameras." Bruner had no knowledge of the demonstrator who was arrested with a warrant.
Tagged
al sharpton
bloomberg
economy
kanye west
mayor bloomberg
occupy wall street
protests
public space
wall street
Zuccotti Park
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.
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