THURSDAY, JUNE 25th

City Hall Park // Day 3

Since the start of the occupation on Tuesday, the crowd has quadrupled in size - expanding far beyond the small patch of grass where this all started. The park had become a 100% self sustaining community complete with charging stations, an art department, a full kitchen, roaming medics, voting sign ups, supply booths, and even a public library. Education is a huge part of this movement, with teach ins + group discussions surrounding race, the abolitionist movement, government, voting, and demonstration tactics, happening 24/7.

MONDAY, JUNE 29th - JUNE 30th

City Hall Park // Day 7

On-the-ground account of what happened @ City Hall: hundreds of New York City riot police began assembling outside of City Hall around 3am Tuesday morning. Protesters had taken over Chambers and Centre Street - building barricades, and blocking off traffic. After a nearly 2.5 hour stand off, the police moved into the expanded autonomous zone around 530am - ripping down fencing, and pushing demonstrators back to the park. “If you do not leave the street voluntarily, you will be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct” blared over a loud speaker strapped to the back of a lieutenant. -
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Organizers instructed demonstrators to get on the sidewalk, where legally they would be protected. The police remained in the street for nearly 15 min, staring at protestors, and blasting the recording. The protesters responded by chanting “We’re on the sidewalk!” Soon after, the lieutenant switched the recording to “If you do not leave the SIDEWALK and disperse, you will be arrested, and charged with disorderly conduct. The demonstrators held their ground, screaming back at police, holding protective umbrellas high. -
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A few seconds later, the police charged forward - smashing into a line of makeshift wooden and plastic protest shields. The demonstrators were relentless, but stood no chance against 200+ officers in full riot gear. After a viscous struggle, the remaining fencing was removed and disposed of. Now, protesters and police stood face to face - nothing between them. -
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Front line demonstrators held their ground, screaming obscenities, ready for whatever came next. Police began to advance, ripping umbrellas + shields out of demonstrators hands. Just as the situation seemed to be escalating again, the police chief stepped in, ordering his men to stand down. After securing the intersection, police left the park, allowing demonstrators to repair the camp and treat their injuries.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30th - WEDNESDAY, JULY 1st

City Hall Park // Day 8

Occupy City Hall // Wednesday morning // 6:14am // After a volatile evening of demonstrations, protesters eagerly awaited a budget decision vote from the City Council at midnight. Hours later, the budget passed, and Occupy’s demands were not met. There was feeling of confusion throughout the camp - with no one sure what to do next. Preparing for the worst, protesters constructed several large barriers on Centre and Chambers Street. Then, around 3am, in an effort to unify the camp - organizers called a meeting to discuss the next move. Three topics were discussed in a diplomatic group setting - concluding with a y/n community vote.
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1. Do we want to continue to occupy City Hall Park? 2. Do we want to leave the barriers up? 3. If so, do we want to defend the barriers? The results were: 1. Yes, we will remain in City Hall Park. 2. Yes, we will leave the barriers up. 3. No, we will not stand behind them, but rather defend the perimeter of the park. Moments after the conclusion of the meeting, demonstrators began suiting up with masks, goggles, umbrellas, and makeshift shields. Lining the perimeter of the park three rows deep, hundreds stood, arms locked, prepared to hold the space. For hours, demonstrators held the line, waiting. At 6am, hundreds of police burst through the Centre Street barrier - sprinting toward the crowd - immediately arresting, shoving, or beating anyone still in the street. Moments later, the unit rushed the reinforced sidewalk front line. Without warning or provocation, they began ripping through the defensive fencing, and beating demonstrators in the process. -
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After removing and disposing of the fencing, police yet again, stood face to face with a line of hundreds. For nearly 20 minutes, the confrontation continued as city crews cleaned up the barriers + construction supplies. Organizers walked the front line, preaching to police through megaphones - making sure they knew the camp had no plans to back down. Around 6:30, the police began returning to the precinct. As they backed down, demonstrators erupting in cheers, chanting, “this is what community looks like!”