If you want to see this a third time next Wednesday, say so in the thread.
A dissident's guide to New York City
I. Welcome!
Well, if you're reading this, you have either begun to plan your trip to Gotham, or are sitting in one of its many internet-access locales getting your bearings. The RNC convention looms, the street theatre is dusting off its props and big-head puppets, and the possibility of 1000 events dizzies the mind. This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of what protests will be available. It is meant to help you survive and enjoy your time in our city, and to promote the general welfare. The watchwords are "peaceful protest." If you have other watchwords, this is not your guide. However, if that is the case, this is not your welcome. Please find somewhere else to mess things up. New Yorkers are a liberal lot by and large, and we don't really find ourselves too enthused by the RNC delegates or their policies. That being the case, it is important to remember WHY we are progressives. We believe in creativity and mutual welfare, not destruction and fouling other people's lawns. If you pose more of an immediate threat to those principles than the delegates, Ron Kuby himself won't hesitate to stop what you're doing (although he may represent you after your inevitable arrest). Those unpleasantries and warnings out of the way ... let's do New York!
Oh, one more thing. The RNC has faked us out. There is hardly any convention to speak of. Monday 10AM to 1PM. All days 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Otherwise, you're protesting nothing in particular near MSG.
MUCH more after the jump.
II. Bathrooms ... yo, where are the bathrooms!!!!
Restrooms are a valued commodity in this city, especially when many visitors come to town. You have to know where to look, but public urination need not be your daily ritual. And if all of you take the sidewalk as toilet route, this will be a very unpleasant week. SO ...
Bathrooms can be grouped into two categories ... reliables, and neighborhood-specifics.
Let's briefly review the reliables. Before heading to most of these, you must ask yourself the paradoxical question: "OK, I have to go, but do I also need to drink or eat?" If yes, you are in luck. All restaurants have clearly marked facilities.
If you merely wish to rehydrate, try many of the cafes, including the infamous starbucks or dunkin donuts (so long as it has seating). There may be a wait if you hit cafes near a big protest, so walk east or west two blocks if you want to beat the rush. This brings up another interesting corollary for the more violently inclined. The café whose window you smash today may be your restroom tomorrow. Or, more accurately, it won't be your bathroom, because you will have forced it to close. And even the most infamous rebel loses some of his or her romanticism with big pee-pee stains on the front of his or her black bloc outfit. In short, don't do it. Your bladder thanks you.
The city MAY supply porta-johns near some protests. The city is still discussing it. Don't hold your breath. Or if they do, hold your breath, because it's little better than the sidewalk. I say little, because you won't be arrested for using the porta-john.
Also reliable for bathrooms ... hospitals. To name a few: 33rd and 1st. 18th and 1st. 70th and 1st. 70th and York (east of 1st). Have your ID ready, and don't treat the questions from the guards like they are unwarranted, and you shouldn't have a problem.
One last reliable ... Borders or Barnes and Noble. If you can, show them some love and buy a book by Brock or Franken or something. If not, try not to be too conspicuous, or the bookstores are going to clamp down after a day or two.
Some neighborhood-specifics:
MSG: Penn Station is one possibility for bathrooms. Another is Macy's. Manhattan Mall ... lowest floor in the back. Some of the other nearby stores have restrooms, but few allow public access.
Central Park: There are restrooms scattered throughout the park. Don't use them at night. Really. Even if you find one that is open. How will you find them during the day? Ask one of us. New Yorkers are all over the park, and we just want to help visitors out.
Grand Central: 42nd and Park. Also has a nice food court.
SUBWAY STATIONS DO NOT HAVE BATHROOMS. You would think this would be a brilliant idea. We're still discussing it. There are rooms, marked as bathrooms, but they haven't been serviced since Nixon was president. And they are locked.
Handy map for bathrooms:
www.addyourown.com/index.php?cat_id=5&city_id=1
(click on bathroom extension to side of map)
III. Transportation
For the love of all that is holy or secularly human, you're a concerned citizen. You want to starve the beast that is Al Qaeda. USE THE PUBLIC TRANSIT or WALK. It works. It really does. It will inspire you to beef up Public Transit and sidewalks in your hometown.
Buses run up and down every avenue, and the bus shelters are hard to miss. Express means that it stops every four to five blocks. Regular means that it stops every two blocks or so.
East side subway: the Green 456. Stops mainly along Lexington or Park Avenue. 6 is for short distances (every 4-10 blocks). 4/5 is express (every 10-30 blocks). Read the signs carefully on the way into the station, to make sure the 4/5/6 is running to where you want to go (there's some maintenance lately on the 4/5 track).
West side subways: The blue ABC (which is far west side) and the red 139. If you need to cross from the green to the blue or red, use the grey shuttle (S) in Grand Central (42nd street stop) or Times Square (42nd street stop).
Other lines: Some lines zig zag through Manhattan and the other boros. Pick up a transit map (always available at Times Square, Grand Central, Penn Station, and in most stations if the agent is on duty) or read it on the wall of the station (don't worry, even seasoned New Yorkers do this ... you won't be picked up as a rube like the opening sequence of Tim Burton's Batman). General advice? Stick to the Red and Green to get around, and use the shuttle to cross Manhattan near the MSG site.
Walking: The grid system is very easy north of Houston Street. Streets run east and west, Avenues north and south. The named avenues are between Third and Fifth, in the center spine of the city. You're going to need more explicit guidance to go to Alphabet City or Lower Manhattan. So, if the address has a named avenue or street other than Lexington, Park, or Madison, get directions before you leave. I'm sorry I'm so general on that point ... but specific directions to each address in those regions would fill pages.
IV. Police and Legal Help
As of now, we've dodged the worst case scenario, 5000 armed soldiers on the streets. If that occurs, I'd seriously consider NOT COMING. It's unpredictable, and our efforts are better spent waking up Congress to the violation of Posse Comitatus.
NYPD are reasonable enough. They are efficient guard dogs. Yes, they have been known to have a few bad apples, but on the whole, New Yorkers are deeply respectful of them. And, like any good guard dog at a friend's house, they will not bother you if you limit your behavior to non-threatening gestures. We had 500,000 people at the Iraq War protests, and 12 were arrested. Those 12 attempted to spook mounted police with firecrackers or were otherwise deliberately trying to get a rise out of the cops. Just don't do it. If you do, the rest of us aren't going to waste any time trying to free you.
Here's an example of within-limits behavior: we protested the herding of marchers in the Iraq War protest into side streets and narrow alleys. The police eventually let us through to the main march. We did not push, we did not threaten. We just chanted things like "Whose streets? Our streets." en masse. It got through to them. In the end, they want to maintain order. They will accede to the crowd's wishes if that's the easiest way to order. They will arrest the crowd if that seems to be more advisable.
This does not mean that the RNC isn't going to try to get a rise out of our cops, or prod them into intimidating us. It is possible.
The New York Civil Liberties Union has set up a storefront to assist protestors: 520 8th Avenue (between 36th and 37th Streets)
Phone #: 212-629-3011
Web address: www.RNCprotestrights.org
It will have printed info about your rights, who to call if you get into trouble, training sessions, and LAWYERS. It is also your site if you have a civil liberties complaint or story.
Its hours will be: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Starting on Thursday, August 26, the Storefront will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
V. Republican Agents in Disguise (RAID)
This creature may be like the Loch Ness Monster. Fictional, rumored but not verified, or the topic of mad rantings. OR the rumors could be true, and the RNC will manufacture turmoil if we are wise enough to withhold it from the cameras of Fox Network. Remember, Murdoch's HQ is only blocks from MSG, as are CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC. The VRWC and SCLM will jump all over anything, even if it later turns out to be a GOP hoax.
What can we do?
Act as our brother's keeper.
If you see something, say something. Someone smashing a starbucks? Band together with others near you to alert the police. Or grab a protest marshall. Who are the marshalls? Find out what uniform they have before a protest starts. Sometimes they have a hat or an armband of a specific color.
Someone spray painting the side of the garden? Police or Marshall.
Someone pummeling a fellow protestor for handing out literature? There is strength in numbers.
Overall, try to avoid violence. Allow the NUMEROUS law officers to enforce the law. Be their eyes and ears, not their fists. Air America can interview you for stopping chaos, but only if you didn't provide Bill O'Reilly with his "Why protestors are violent drug-crazed commie strangoids" picture of the day by starting a riot.
And PLEASE, it is not bizarre or fascist or abnormal to report something to the police even if you aren't quite sure what you saw. That's their job. You're all smart cookies. You know the difference between exercise of freedom and small scale urban warfare. If it looks strange, it may not even be a misguided protestor or RAID. It could be that which this administration has done little to stop. They do exist.
VI. And now a word from our sponsor ...
So, what's going on in NYC? Well, several groups and their local chapters have stuff planned and need your help.
United for Peace and Justice: First off, the big August 29th march is on, but not the rally. UFPJ will meet at 7th Avenue and 14th street at 10AM. What you do after the march is up to you. Go to their website for the latest details, and to make a donation (they need a LOT of money to make this work).
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/donate
www.unitedforpeace.org/rnc
One can also find flyers and assorted materials at UFPJ. Good stuff even if you don't want to march on the 29th.
If you cannot make it to New York City on August 29, UFPJ wants to hear about your local protest on that day. They say: "Target the local Bush/Cheney campaign headquarters, the Republican Party offices or whatever venue works best in your town. Hold marches, demonstrations, vigils or teach ins. Fill the local airwaves with antiwar messages. We already know of actions being planned in Chicago, IL; San Luis Obispo, CA; Santa Fe, NM; and Detroit Lakes, MN- but how about we aim for actions in every single state!"
Post your event at http://www.unitedforpeace.org and email us at info@unitedforpeace.org so the whole world will know of your participation.
Other UFPJ events:
Saturday, August 28
BOOKS NOT BOMBS YOUTH CONVERGENCE
9 am - 6 pm, St. Marks Church, 2nd Ave and 10th St.
Strategy discussions, issue workshops, skills trainings, banner making, and more in an all-day youth and student gathering organized by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition
http://www.nyspc.net/
Saturday, August 28
HOW FAR TO THE RIGHT HAVE WE GONE?
2 - 4 pm CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave. and 34th St.
A Town Hall Meeting organized by Historians Against the War
Featuring Andrew Bacevich, Thomas Bender, Renate Bridenthal, and Ellen Schrecker
http://www.historiansagainstwar.org/rnc.html
Saturday, August 28
WOMEN AGAINST WAR - AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND INSPIRATION
7 pm The Riverside Church Nave, 490 Riverside Drive at 120th St.
Music and spoken word to celebrate women's passion, creativity and strength in saying no to war and yes to peace and justice!
Advance Tickets Only: $10. Call 1-800-838-3006 or visit http://www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/407
Nonviolence table, August 28:At the "Festival of Nonviolence" (sponsored by the Green Party) in Washington Square Park, noon to 6 pm.
August 28
Nonviolence training for those interested in participating in the civil disobedience. Westbeth (Community Room), 55 Bethune (between West & Washington Sts.), one block south of W. 12th St. in Greenwich Village:
10 am to 2 pm (a more detailed discussion of nonviolent direct action for those who have done civil disobedience before)
Monday, August 30
STILL WE RISE MARCH AND RALLY
1-6 pm Union Square march up 8th Ave to 31st St.
Thousands of low-income New Yorkers will lead this march and rally, focusing on issues of HIV/AIDS/Healthcare, Welfare Reform, Immigrant Issues, Housing/Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Issues
http://www.stillwerise.org
Monday, August 30
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES: Stop the War at Home
4 pm Dag Hammerskjold Plaza at First Ave. and 47th St., followed by a march to Madison Square Garden
Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign march for health care, housing, education and living wage jobs.
http://www.marchforourlives.org
Tuesday, August 31
A DAY OF NONVIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND DIRECT ACTION
4:00 Decentralized actions at war profiteers and more. 6 pm Orientation at Madison Sq. Park or on the Steps of New York Public Library, 5th Ave and 41st St. 7 pm converge at Madison Square Garden
Transform the streets of NYC into stages of resistance and forums for debate through nonviolent action. Among the many groups calling for civil disobedience on this day are the War Resisters League and the True Security Cluster
http://www.warresisters.org/RNC_CD.htm and http://www.a31.org/truesecurity
August 31, 2004
Herald a World of True Security
Say No to Bush's Endless War and Homeland InSecurity!
Meet in Herald Square at 7 pm. Provide services or goods or protest that speaks to you about true security. THERE IS NO PERMIT FOR THIS.
The organizers say: "If the police attempt to move us, we will refuse to go. Those who choose to will sit down and claim our right to peacefully assemble in the name of democracy, justice, liberty, freedom, for the good green earth and for the future of our children. We will hold this space of alternative vision and transformation. We will not cooperate; we will not be violent, and we will not leave. We will act in the rich tradition of social movements before us that have used nonviolent resistance to challenge injustice."
Tuesday, August 31
9:30-11:30 NVDA Action Prep Session, location to be announced (look, I just report the protest, I don't make the protest).
If they can't get their act together, go to the Homeland security office at Noon, and meet up with these guys. 633 3rd Ave. Street theater action wearing hoods to dramatize US polices from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo to the US prison system to the streets of New York. There is no permit for this demonstration but we will engage in legal sidewalk protest.
6:00 pm Orientation for unaffiliated groups and individuals will begin on the steps of the New York Public Library, 42nd St and 5th Ave. one of the two orientation sites established by the A31 Action Coalition which is coordinating direct action for the entire day.
7:00 pm Create a World of True Security, converge at Herald Square, 34th and 6th Ave at Broadway. We will gather and construct a model of a world of real security and true democracy. We ask affinity groups to bring things that show what true security means to you (seed ideas below). We want to create a world in the streets where everyone has the healthy food and good clean water they need. Where art and music heal our wounds. Where jobs are secure and children are cared for. A world where beauty, balance, abundance and delight fill our lives.
"Your affinity group might choose to offer food or water or paint the street. Maybe you will offer healing, play music or sing a song. Maybe you tell a story or engage in discussions about actions around the elections or organize a puppet pageant about what we do to move beyond voting.
If the police prevent us from creating this world or attempt to remove us, those who choose to will refuse to cooperate, sitting down and nonviolently holding our space, risking arrest if necessary."
The True Security Call is initiated by the Green Bloc, the Pagan Cluster and the Save Our Civil Liberties Campaign. It is being organized within the framework and in solidarity with the August 31 Action Coalition Call for the Shout Heard Round the World!
To endorse to call or get involved contact: truesecurity@hotmail.com
Thursday, September 2
VIGIL FOR THE FALLEN: We Remember--He Lied--They Died
7 am to 7 pm Union Square Park at 14th Street and Broadway
All welcome to join veterans, including some recently returned from Iraq, Gold Star Parents and other Military Families, 9-11 Families and other Concerned Citizens at a Vigil for the Fallen. Programs with speakers and music at 12 noon and 5 pm.
Sponsored by Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Vietnam Veterans Against the War,
Veterans Against the Iraq War, Bring Them Home Now!
Call 718-805-6341, 201-876-0430 or visit http:/www.veteransforpeace.org
A CALL FOR MASS NONVIOLENCE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2004
http://www.warresisters.org/RNC_CD.htm
The Scenario. We encourage people to dress in white (representing mourning) to gather on Aug. 31, 2004, 3 pm at the site of the World Trade Center (west side of Church St. at Cortlandt St., near the "Cortlandt St." stop on the R train) for a vigil. At 4 PM we will walk in a solemn procession north toward the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden. Those who cannot walk the entire distance are asked to join us at 5:30 pm at Union Square (NW corner, 17th St. & Broadway) for the last leg of the procession. By 7 PM we will reach Madison Square Garden and, when stopped, we will "die-in" as a way to graphically represent all those who have been killed by the government's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Though this nonviolent die-in may result in our arrest and may block or inconvenience Republican delegates and others, we think this is a small price to pay to dramatize and call attention to the enormous horrors inflicted on the world by the U.S. government. The Bush administration must be held accountable.
Visit http://www.warresisters.org to see a detailed map of the route of the solemn procession to the nonviolent civil disobedience die-in at Madison Square Garden.
Map of Madison Square Garden Vicinity.
NO PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.
NO VERBAL ABUSE.
NO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
NO ALCOHOL.
NO NON-MEDICINAL DRUGS.
NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND.
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 10 am to noon
Non-violence training.Westbeth (Community Room), 55 Bethune (between West & Washington Sts.), one block south of W. 12th St. in Greenwich Village
A UFPJ Information Clearinghouse will be open for the latest information about the civil disobedience and other RNC actions.
WRL building at 339 Lafayette St. (at Bleecker St.) in Manhattan:
Friday, Aug. 27, 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Saturday, Aug. 28, 11 am to 6 pm
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 10 am to 2 pm
Mini-Poster. In an effort to counter establishment propaganda about the possibility of "violent demonstrations" during the RNC, this 8.5" x 11" flyer designed to posted around Manhattan. To download it, visit http://www.warresisters.org -- lease distribute as widely as possible.
PLEASE.
NOW-NYC: NOW has several programs from now through the convention. On August 19th, they will have a workshop on change through protest.Open to all, not just women. It will be at 6:30 at NOW-NYC HQ, 150 W. 28th St., just east of Seventh Ave,
Suite 304. People will go out for dinner together afterwards (everyone pays for themselves).
Sept 1, 7-9 PM is the CODE RED demonstration.
Central Park's East Meadow, and they have a permit.
Located adjacent to Fifth Ave, enter the park at 90th Street at either Fifth Ave or Central Park West.
They still need help running this thing, though, so call 212-627-9895 or e-mail <http://campaign2004@nownyc.org> to get it together.
You can also stop by NOW-NYC HQ the day before (August 31, 150 W. 28th St., east of 7th Ave.
Suite 304) at about 6:30 PM to help organize the protest.
Physicians for Choice: Or anyone for choice, really. But if you are a healthcare provider, get into your clinical duds on Aug 28 and head to Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn. At 11:00 AM, several orgs will rally for choice in Cadman Plaza and then head to the Brooklyn Bridge at noon. For the Acrophobic, head to City Hall Park by 1 pm and join the Rally for Women's Lives there.
If you are want more information or are interested in helping:
http://www.ppnyc.org/action/marchforwomenslivesny.html
Note that NO signs may refer to ANY candidate, since the orgs involved may not campaign.
New Democratic Majority: My favorite guys in Gotham. If you're a Dean Democrat, a Clarkie, a fan of Denny the K, a Sharpton activist, or an avid booster of Progressivism, this is your crowd. Loosely affiliated with Democracy for America, NDM is trying to make NYC even bluer and stronger. Ask us about our campaign to rid the Congress of the last Bush Republican from NYC! But where?
Glad you asked, man.
Come to the Progressive Tourism Bureau!
The PTB is not just run by NDM, but by Citizen Action, America Coming Together New York, Democracy
for NYC, Kerry Village, Driving Votes, and pretty much whomever shows up with energy and a vision for the future of America.
Will Dr. Dean show up there? I'm not promising that. I'm not even saying that. I'm just asking the question.
Will Ptolemy be there? Maybe.
Will Theoria be there? Maybe.
Might you get on with Air America? Maybe.
It's going to be WACKY.
The PTB will be your one-stop shop for getting oriented on the ground, and will be a clearinghouse point to organize a massive grassroots effort to win all of the 2004 elections. Come to "The Tank" (a performing arts
space at 432 W. 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Aves) to drop in, learn what is going on during the week and to
learn about actions for the next two months of the election and
beyond. We'll also have the latest closings and conditions, like a weather bureau.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: NDM still needs help with this. Where are you guys?
PLEASE contact events@newdemmajority.org or 347-534-6919.
We NEED volunteers. Ptolemy has finked out AGAIN with some BS about playing doctor that week.
Did we mention that there will be social events every night at the TANK? And Sam Seder? No, there's no guarantee that Seder will be there. But with such a happening joint, how could he not be?
Shifts are 9:30a-12:00p, 12:00p-2:30p, and 2:30p-5:00p, everyday from Sunday Aug
29 to Thursday Sep 2. We especially need people to sign up for earlier in
the week, with a special focus on the first and second shifts on Sunday
8/29. We also need street team leaders, who commit to working at least
three shifts and attending a one-hour training the Monday, Tuesday, or
Wednesday at 7pm the week before the convention.
To sign up, or if you have questions, please contact Mike
Freedman-Schnapp at events@newdemmajority.org or 347-534-6919.
Also come to "The Job Line" on September 1
On the morning of Wed, Sep 1st, a
coalition of groups will be staging a symbolic unemployment line from
the financial district to midtown to protest the Bush administration's
draconian economic policies. To volunteer, or if you have questions, please email events@newdemmajority.org> .
NDM needs coverage of the events too, so if you have AV or photo skills, and especially if you'll bring equipment to the city ...they need photographers to take digital
photos from pre-arranged rooftop sites to create a single panoramic
image of the event. In addition, we need a couple of videographers with
digital capability to help create a video for release to the media. If
you are interested, or have questions, contact Pamela Cederquist, who is
running The Line project, at charchuck@earthlink.net
Or use the events@newdemmajority.org address to ask questions or provide help.
VII. Last minute stuff:
As of August 21, this was the situation in NYC.
Cops: May be picketing, along with Fire and EMS. If you see a picket line, you know what to do. The last thing that Fox wants on the air is protestors in SOLIDARITY with First Responders. These guys have been brave, even if they aren't your first choice to come over for tea. Show some love, and don't cross a picket line. Bring them water or cookies from a store (homemade is sweet, but they aren't likely to take it). Ask if you can help flyer the RNC delegates about their pay inequities. They carry this city on their backs, and Bloomie won't give em a raise.
Closings and transport: Unless you have press credentials, or managed to snag RNC creds (like a Platinum member card or something), this is your zone ...
West 32 nd St. between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue will be closed to vehicles, becoming a pedestrian mall allowing access to and from the Seventh Avenue entrance to Penn Station.
Between 7th and 9th Avenues, pedestrians will need to have a business-related purpose to enter (or a pass of some sort)
7th Avenue will be closed from 42nd to 29th Streets during the 13 hours when the convention is in session. At other times, at least one lane will be open in the MSG area and all lanes will be open elsewhere
8th Avenue will be closed during the convention hours from 23rd to 34th Streets. Since 31st Street at 8th Avenue will be a designated protest area, additional lane or avenue closures are likely south of that point at other times during the week.
The MTA will be re-routing bus service on both 7th and 8th Avenues.
Sidewalks will be open for pedestrians, subject to some restrictions around Madison Square Garden.
Unscheduled closures and delays may occur as the result of security measures and will be determined by the Police Department. For additional information and updates, visit NYC.gov or call 311 or go to the NDM tourist bureau at the Tank.
Getting here (as of Aug 11):
Long Island Rail Road
The MTA Long Island Rail Road is anticipating operating regular service to Penn Station. At Penn Station itself, two of the six entrances and exits will be available for customers of the MTA Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak, and NJ Transit.
There will be searches on the train, at least of seats, bathrooms, and unattended luggage.
The entrances that will remain open are the Amtrak entrance at 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue (under the Madison Square Garden marquee), and the MTA Long Island Rail Road 34th Street Entrance, located on 34th Street just west of Seventh Avenue. Within Penn Station, normal subway access will be available and unrestricted. My advice? Get out of Penn Station ASAP. It's just going to be crowded and a zoo, and not a good place to hang out. The LIRR is planning an extensive customer information campaign consisting of a special brochure, maps, signage, station announcements and website posting that will be available starting the last week of July. The information campaign will also contain information on alternate routes for customers that normally use Penn Station.
As an alternative to Penn Station, customers may wish to transfer to the subway at other LIRR locations, including Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, Hunterspoint Avenue, Long Island City or Jamaica. THIS IS ADVISABLE. Take a subway that doesn't stop at Penn Station. You can always get to the action on foot. Just much easier.
The LIRR's Flatbush Avenue Terminal offers easy access to lower Manhattan with convenient connections to a number of subway lines serving both lower and midtown Manhattan. Subway transfers available at the Flatbush Avenue Terminal include the "2", "3", "4", "5", "B", "D", "M", "N", "Q", or "R" trains.
The LIRR's Hunterspoint Avenue and Long Island City Stations offer easy access to the East Side of Manhattan. The Number "7" train to and from Times Square can be accessed from either the LIRR's Hunterspoint Avenue or Long Island City Stations. The LIRR Hunterspoint Avenue Station is located adjacent to NYC Transit's Hunters Point Avenue Station on the "7" line, and the LIRR Long Island City Station is located near the Vernon/Jackson subway station on the "7" line. The "7" train provides easy access to Grand Central Terminal and Manhattan's East Side.
The LIRR's Jamaica hub offers connections to the "E" train serving midtown and downtown Manhattan, and the "J" and "Z" trains serving Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. The "F" train is located on Sutphin Boulevard and Hillside Avenue, about a five-block walk north of the LIRR Jamaica Station.
In addition to the travel alternatives, the LIRR advises customers to consider the following travel tips during the convention:
· Please consider leaving any unnecessary bags, backpacks and other items at home during the convention.
· Remember to take all belongings with you when you leave the train to avoid delays due to unattended packages.
· Buy your LIRR train tickets and MetroCards in advance at outlying stations.
· Purchase September monthly tickets prior to August 30 th. September monthly tickets go on sale August 20 th. They may also be purchased on-line through the WebTicket service. Monthly tickets are sold at a two percent discount when purchased through WebTicket.
· Listen for announcements regarding potential service changes.
· Monitor radio and television traffic reports for service updates.
· Additional LIRR personnel will be assigned at key locations to assist customers.
Customers may consult the LIRR's website or call the LIRR's 24-hour Travel Information Center for assistance. The number in New York City is 718-217-LIRR; in Suffolk County, 631-231-LIRR; or in Nassau County, 516-822-LIRR. The Travel Information Center's TDD number for the hearing impaired is 516-558-3022.
Other useful numbers include MTA New York City Transit at 718-330-1234; and the MTA Police's toll-free number - 1-888-MTA-911PD (1-888-682-9117).
NJ TRANSIT SERVICE
Rail Service:
There will be searches here too.
All MidTown DIRECT trains on the Montclair-Boonton and Morris & Essex lines will operate to and from Hoboken rather than New York. Customers can make New York connections via:
· PATH service to/from 33 rd Street in midtown or the temporary station at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.
· NY Waterway Ferry service to Pier 11 and the World Financial Center.
· Valid NJ TRANSIT tickets to New York will be honored by PATH (to 33 rd Street and the temporary station at the World Trade Center only) and NY Waterway Ferry (to Pier 11 and the World Financial Center only) at no additional charge.
All other New York trains on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line will operate according to normal schedules. Please be aware that you may experience delays as a result of enhanced security measures and other circumstances.
Bus and Light Rail Service:
Bus and Light Rail Service will operate on a normal schedule.
Ticketing
All valid NJ TRANSIT tickets to New York will be honored by PATH for travel to and from 33 rd Street and the temporary station at the World Trade Center only at no additional charge.
All valid NJ TRANSIT tickets to New York will be honored by NY Waterway Ferry for travel to and from Pier 11 and the World Financial Center only at no additional charge.
All valid NJ TRANSIT tickets to New York will be honored by Lakeland and DeCamp bus lines for travel to and from New York at no additional charge.
All valid NJ TRANSIT tickets to New York will be honored system-wide onboard NJ TRANSIT services for travel to and from New York.
All August monthly passes will be valid through Tuesday, September 7 th so that monthly commuters and customers traveling during the convention can avoid engaging in transactions in Penn Station New York.
· The use of overhead luggage racks will be prohibited during the week. Customers will be asked to travel lightly and to keep their personal belongings with them at all times.
· A limited number of restrooms will be available on New York-bound trains. Many restrooms will be locked, and onboard trash receptacles will be sealed.
Customers are asked to be vigilant in looking for unattended baggage, packages or suspicious activity and immediately report this information to the train crew or station employees and call our Security Hotline at 1(888) TIPS-NJT.
NJ TRANSIT Police, together with the NJ State Police, Secret Service, NYPD, and Amtrak Police are working to keep Penn Station New York open and trains running on schedule. However, you may experience delays as a result of enhanced security measures and other circumstances. For your safety, we ask for your full cooperation when dealing with NJ TRANSIT employees and all law enforcement officials.
AMTRAK
Also may have searches.
Still coming into NYC. My advice? Get off at Newark and take the PATH train. OR ... get off in Northern NY or CT and take Metro-North to Grand Central Station. Check your specific line to see where it overlaps with the Metro-North commuter rail. And you'll need an ID on the Amtrak trains. It's a good idea in any case.
HAVE FUN, KIDS.