MB was asking about a protest scheduled at 26 Federal Plaza today. It's going on now, and seems to be tied in to immigrant/alien registration deadlines now looming. It's a small gathering, taking up the sidewalk for about half of the block in front of the building on Broadway. It's well behaved and closely, though not oppressively, policed. Traffic on Broadway continues as usual. Top prop is a multi-person parade snake labeled USA Patriot Act. I didn't catch the Islamic prayers that MB mentioned, and I can't really make out all the speeches, but they have the usual tone: too harsh, too much call and response for my taste. But it's not like they don't have legitimate complaints. The protest is dwarfed by the line of registrants & others with INS business who must wait in the cold before being allowed to enter the building. I've seen these people being treated like cattle for years, and I don't mean like Kobe beef cattle. The Voice has an article on the phenomenon of this line. Read the article, 'cause I doubt you'll see much news coverage of the event.
|
- alex 1-10-2003 10:41 pm