Mass Arrests of Protesters at GOP Convention in NYC Condemned by Civil Liberties Groups

Interview with Bruce Bentley, lawyer with the New York City chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, conducted by Scott Harris

The day before Republicans gathered in New York City for their national convention, more than half a million citizens opposed to the Bush administration participated in a massive legal demonstration -- the largest protest ever at a U.S. political convention. While the GOP heard endless speeches and nominated George Bush for re-election, many thousands of activists took part in smaller more militant actions targeting President Bush's decision to wage war against Iraq and his economic, social and environmental policies. During the course of the week, police arrested 1,821 protesters, reporters and innocent bystanders in sweeps launched against dozens of demonstrations and civil disobedience actions. Many of those arrested on minor charges were taken to a city-owned warehouse at Pier 57 dubbed by detainees as "Guantanamo on the Hudson." Some of those arrested complained that while at the detention facility they were exposed to toxic waste that caused burns and respiratory problems.

Civil liberties groups charge New York City police unnecessarily held those arrested for excessive periods of time -- a deliberate policy some activists say -- which was implemented to keep protesters off the streets until after the GOP convention concluded. Hundreds of protesters were released from custody on the last day of the convention after New York Supreme Court Justice John Cataldo threatened to fine the city $1,000 for every detainee held past 5 p.m.

Adding to the concern of those observing the protests and police reaction were the comments of New York City Mayor Bloomberg, who likened protesters who shouted at Republican delegates to terrorists. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with attorney Bruce Bentley, the National Lawyers Guild's RNC Mass Defense coordinator, who takes a critical look at police tactics used in the arrests of protesters in New York City.

Call the New York City Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild at (212) 679-6018 or visit the group's website at www.nlgnyc.org. There, arrestees and witnesses of police actions in New York City may find more information about litigation and can access complaint forms.

Related links:

American Civil Liberties Union at www.aclu.org

New York Civil Liberties Union at www.nyclu.org

Center for Constitutional Rights at www.ccr-ny.org

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