Eric Garner/Michael Brown Demo, Rockefeller Center, NYC

After having dinner with my family on E. 50th Street, I came across this tiny but vocal demonstration. The small group crossed from one corner to the next, walking in a square pattern at the intersection at 50th St. and 5th Avenue. Each time they reached a corner, they chanted loudly and then stepped off the curb, crossing the street to the next corner. Over and over again. There were more cops than demonstrators and more tourists than both combined.

Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Catheral - Tree Mad Crowds Protesters

23 December. Took the Q train to 34th St. and then a D to 47th-50th. Walked through 2 lower levels of Rockefeller Center - all marble and gold and black. Once outside, the tree directly in front of me. The tree was lovely and the tourists were having fun.
My cynicism was at a minimum for just a few moments. Soon the crowds became too pressing, distracting, awful so I crossed over to St. Patrick's and was fortunate to find a group of anti-torture protesters in front of the cathedral. Chatted with a couple of them and picked up a flyer. Went into St. Patrick's and there were throngs of people - more and more people. The story of Jesus and the money lenders in the temple came to mind. Piety was at a premium. Even an atheist like me, who has also protested outside the Cathedral, would like people and their children to talk in hushed tones.
Photos of a day out.

Protest information:
International Day to Shut Down Guantanamo
Friday, January 11, 2008

Gather @ 10:00 AM
National Mall @ 12th Street NW betw Madison Dr NW & Jefferson Drive SW
near the Smithsonian Metro Stop

11:00 AM Demontration on the Mall
Sponsored by Witness Against Torture, Amnesty International, & National Religious Campaign Against Torture

1:30 PM Funeral Ceremony @ the Supreme Court remembering the four men who died in custody at Guantanamo and mourning the death of Habeas Corpus

http://www.witnesstorture.org