Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Thousands of Protesters Are Trapped by Cops on the Manhattan Bridge

Developing story: Thousands of protesters are currently stuck on the Manhattan bridge. The police have blocked both sides of the bridge.

Maria Aurelio

June 2, 2020
Facebook Twitter Share
Twitter @o_tilli_a

Today was one of the biggest days of protests in NYC, with tens of thousands joining protests around the city demanding justice for George Floyd. One began at Foley Square and another at Stonewall, with protesters taking the streets and eventually meeting up near the Manhattan bridge. Protesters spoke out against police brutality, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Black trans man, Tony McDade.

All day, these were, indeed, “our streets.”

At 8 pm, the curfew imposed by Mayor De Blasio and Governor Cuomo took effect. What had been a consistent police presence immediately doubled and people began to be arrested. The protesters took care to not instigate the highly armored and heavily armed police officers.

As they attempted to cross the Manhattan bridge, hundreds of cops deliberately blocked the bridge on the Brooklyn side. As the protesters went back to Manhattan, the exit of the bridge was also blocked.

As such, thousands of peaceful protesters are currently trapped on the Manhattan bridge. They are chanting “we have to pee” and “De Blasio, where is your daughter”— in reference to his daughter that was arrested by the police at a recent protest.

These repressive curfews are instituted by Democratic Party politicians who are speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They pretend to be on the side of the movement for justice for George Floyd, but in reality, they are instituting draconian curfews, arresting thousands of protesters, and in many states, calling on the National Guard.

We must fight to end the draconian curfews meant to repress the movement.
We must fight to free all people imprisoned for protesting and that all charges be dropped.
And we also must fight against police brutality and for Black lives: Justice for George Floyd and all of those killed by the racist capitalist state.
And, in the end, the abolition of the police and this repulsive racist capitalist system.

Update (11:12PM EST): The protesters have been allowed to pass over the bridge.  Many were arrested.

Facebook Twitter Share

United States

Dispatch from the Rutgers Encampment for Palestine

A report from a pro-Palestine union teacher at Rutgers.

Jason Koslowski

April 29, 2024

Let’s Make a Historic May Day for This Historic Moment

As encampments for Palestine are being organized all over the country, it is essential for us to heed the call of Palestinian labor unions and mobilize on May Day. We must unite workers and students in a movement against the genocide, against repression, and for a free Palestine.

Tatiana Cozzarelli

April 28, 2024
a group of health care workers hold signs including a banner that says "Healthcare workers for the people of Palestine."

Healthcare Workers Need to Defend the Gaza Solidarity Encampments

As Israel’s genocide continues, student encampaments have started popping up throughout the U.S. in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Healthcare workers should mobilize nationally to defend students and help massify the movement.

Mike Pappas

April 27, 2024
A flagpole in the Gaza Solidarity encampment with Palestine flags, a sign that reads "free gaza, CUNY" and a sign in the center that read "Harlem University, est. 1969, re-est. 2024, Free Palestine, Divest Now"

CUNY Students Occupy Campus in Solidarity with Palestine, Building on the University’s Legacy of Radical Organizing

Students at the City College of New York have a vibrant history of protests and occupations. This week’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment explicitly references and honors that legacy.

Olivia Wood

April 27, 2024

MOST RECENT

SANDWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Activists protesting against the bombing of Gaza blockade the entrance to the Instro Precision factory which is linked to the Israeli owned Elbit systems company on October 26, 2023 in Sandwich, England. Instro Precision is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, an Israeli military contractor whose UK companies have been frequent target for activists.

Our Unions Can Tip the Balance for the Campus Palestine Revolt

Unions are starting to join students in the fight for Palestine. Rank and filers can organize our unions to join the encampments, strike for Palestine --- and push our leaders to throw their full support behind us.

Jason Koslowski

April 28, 2024

Nancy Fraser, Jacques Rancière, Silvia Federicci and many others say: Stop the Criminalization of Palestine Solidarity in France!

Anasse Kazib, a union activist and former presidential candidate, was recently interrogated by French anti-terrorist police. In this open letter, more than 800 prominent intellectuals and activists call to stand united against the criminalization of Palestine solidarity.

Tents on a lawn in front of university buildings

Unite the Encampments Against Repression and for a Free Palestine

Student encampments in solidarity with Gaza are cropping up across the country and are facing intense repression by police acting on behalf of university officials. Defending the occupations requires uniting outrage with these attacks on the right to protest with broad support for Palestine across the student movement and the labor movement.

Left Voice

April 25, 2024
Five masked pro-Palestine protesters hold up a sign that reads "Liberated Zone"

Call for Submissions: Students, Staff, and Faculty Against the Genocide and Against the Repression of Pro-Palestine Movement

Are you a member of the student movement against the genocide in Gaza or a staff member/faculty supporter? We want to publish your thoughts and experiences.

Left Voice

April 25, 2024