As many know by now, there was a call to "Occupy Bloomberg's Mansion" with a drum circle yesterday beginning at 2pm. It was supposed to run for 24-hours. Starting at 3:45pm, we did a live blog of what was happening here at Daily Kos. Sadly, my phone ran out of battery at about 7:30pm. Here is an update of what then occurred:
By approximately 9:00 PM, three new NYPD vans had arrived, and a very angry white-shirt stood with a megaphone and told the protesters that the noise that they had allowed for 6 hours had become "unreasonable". The protesters were then given the warning - the officer said "You are being given the opportunity to stop." Essentially, they are being given the chance to stop peacefully rather than by arrest. At this point, the cops were lined all down the block, wearing what may have been riot gear. They had helmets on and were equipped with more zip ties (or 'flexi-cuffs'). This occurred at around 9:00 PM, despite the fact that the noise curfew is technically 10:00 PM.
The NYPD likes to "do what they want, when they want. It's one of their tactics," said one protestor while being filmed.
The protestors were not only screaming at and arguing with the NYPD, but also among themselves. One woman shouted, "Don't tell me what to do. Get out of my f***ing face" to Aaron(?), who seemed to be one of those in charge. "We're not your enemy," he replied, before conceding and trying to break up the argument by telling others to let her do what she wants.
This argument was heard all over, as the drum circle debated with each other on whether or not to listen to the NYPD and cease the drumming. Many 'mic checks' were attempted over the next twenty minutes, but most failed due to this increasing dissent.
Two arrests had been made earlier across the street, but there is no word as to who the people were or why they were arrested. Rumors were spreading through the camp that the two who were arrested were not a part of this Occupy Bloomberg movement.
By 9:30 PM, the situation had developed into what was essentially a stand-off between the protestors and the NYPD. The protestors were waiting for a lawyer, as they had decided to fight this legally rather than with their drums. The Community Affairs officers were attempting to communicate with the protestors so that this would not end "poorly".
In a sudden change, at 9:50 PM the three vans of officers left the park, leaving behind a line of 7 officers - one of which was a white-shirt. Across the street was a small group of approximately 10 extra officers.
The end decision was to bring guitars and harmonicas, and any sort of non-percussion instrument they could find. Aaron and many others declared that they would remain in place all night, and had brought tents and sleeping bags. By 10:00 PM, the group began to sing and play guitar. Fortunately, the police did not seem to mind this and perhaps the lawyer had advised them that it was not illegal to do so. The lawyer refused to comment on record, so this remains unknown.