For people who aren't in NYC (or who are and like me are stuck at work and can't get to the protests) here are some great ways to tap into what's happening at the street level directly from the protesters, legal advocates and interested observers. And none of it is filtered through the corporate media before it gets to you. Enjoy!
1. sign up for text alerts -
txtmob has set up several lists for getting alerts from street level about where the protestors are going, what they're seeing & what the cops are doing in response. Here's how to get them:
- follow the login link to create a new account
- enter your mobile phone number & wireless provider
- wait for the welcome message to appear on your phone - enter the 4-digit code in the box provided
- once you're in, click "join more groups" to get a complete list of what's available. here are some to start with:
- CounterConvention.org - couple daily updates on what's going on that day
- comms_dispatch: a service of the NYC Comms Collective, street level updates
- rncmobnet: another ground-level update service
2. tune into online radio stations - a couple of organizations are covering the RNC with nearly-nonstop radio broadcasts featuring lots of voices from the street. you can call from your cell and go live on the air with your reports:
- A-Noise is running a participatory webstream during the RNC. they've done a great job of taking calls from people throughout the city and informing listeners on what's happening.
- WBAI - 99.5 FM is a Pacifica radio station in NYC who is also doing intensive coverage of protests and demonstrations during the RNC this week. They have multiple webstreams available to choose from.
3. visit a fotoblog or webcam - while some may lack in picture quality, the RNC is one of the first big events that will have imagery available almost instantaneously, thanks to the ubiquity of camera-enabled mobile phones and wireless hot spots throughout NYC. some options include:
- NYC IndyMedia - has been doing a great job of providing breaking news and user-submitted photos and news reports of events in NYC
- NYC Traffic Cams - courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation. Madison Square Garden is located at 8th Avenue and 34th Street, so that camera is particularly helpful (unfortunately taken down for service at the moment, but that changes frequently). hop around, depending on where things are happening. the 8th & 42nd street cam seems to be showing some buses parked in front of delegate hotels at the moment.
- earthcam's times square cams - come in very handy when the protestors target the conventioneer hotels & broadway shows. The robotic cam is especially fun (though images aren't constantly updated, just every few minutes). a heavy police presence a definite possibility here.
- Gothamist has a great post linking to several photo-logs of NYC protests
- the RNC MOPORT - finally, a practical use for those stupid cell phone cameras!
see... it's almost like being there.
Anybody else have a favorite webcam, photoblog, or other alternative source of news? please post it here.