Peaceniks close Chambers St., stink of hope pervades
Just when I thought the lack of a draft (read: sense of impending doom) and massive bar scene had New York’s youth shirking their historical duty to protest unjust wars, a small group of ’socially concerned’ young people (50 or so if I had to estimate) gathered on Chambers St. between Grennwhich and West Broadway to chant and display placards this afternoon. They had assembled in front of the side-by-side Army/Navy and Marine recruiting offices, which were being protected by a wall of NYPD officers when I strolled past at around 1pm. “Have you seen our Constitution?” read one of the signs. I was nearly felled by the glorious stink of hope.The PD had closed the block to traffic and two paddy wagons were at the ready, parked in front of the agitators with rear doors open to reveal plenty of seats for anyone who thought about getting too loud. And think about it they did.
According to the office of the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, there were 20 arrests made in the end; trespass and disorderly conduct were the charges caught.
As of 4p.m., none of the online news websites appear to be covering the protest. No wonder I think nobody is protesting the war in any effective way.
