ALERT: NYPD arrests Camp Casey NYC Organizer
On Monday night, the NYPD arrested Paul Zulkowitz at Camp Casey NYC in Union Square, despite the fact that organizers had a valid permit. Zulkowitz, a member of the Green Party's Peace Action Committee, has been one of the leading organizers of the effort to maintain a continuous presence at Camp Casey NYC in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan for the past two weeks.
This attack on First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly comes as President Bush continues to claim that he is waging war in order to spread democracy and freedom. On the very day that Bush is attempting to force a Constitution on the people of Iraq at gunpoint, he and Mayor Bloomberg are working to silence dissent in the U.S.
Organizers of Camp Casey are asking everyone who possibly can to stop by at Union Square, even if its only for a few minutes, to demonstrate your support and take a stand for our Constitutional rights.
(how you can help: below the fold)
How you can help:
**Call Mayor Bloomberg
Tell him to stop the NYPD assault on freedom of speech: 212-772-1081
Join us at Camp Casey in Union Sq.
Please join, support & visit with activists and organizers there now. Show Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD that we will not be silenced. South side of Union Square Park, near 14th St. and University Place
UPDATE:
Statement from Camp Casey - NYC arrestee: "If you live in the New York Metropolitan Area and stand in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan and our campaign against the unconstitutional and illegal U.S. war on Iraq, please join us at Camp Casey - NYC in the South Plaza of Union Square. Whatever their point of view on Cindy Sheehan's vigil, U.S. North Americans must stand up for the First Amendment. If you support our rights, free speech and assembly, please converge on union square, today, tomorrow and every day as we mobilize for our march on Washington, D.C on Sept 24.
"Union Square, New York City is a national landmark commemorating the first Labor Day, Sept 5, 1882, where citizens fully exercised their rights to free speech and assembly. Union Square today is a convergence point for those who will continue to fully exercise these endangered First Amendment rights.
"Details to come of the arrest as well as date and time of an upcoming press conference and possible suit against the Mayor, Police and Parks Commissioners, NYPD, the arresting Inspector and arresting officers."
-- Paul "zool" Zulkowitz, Green Party Peace Action Committee (affiliation only)
