Eviction of Protesters from Zuccotti Park Endangers Public Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

In response to this morning’s expulsion of Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park, New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman issued the following statement:

“The eviction of protesters from Zuccotti Park was not about public health. Rousting hundreds of peaceful protesters from their tents in the dead of night amid a media blackout doesn’t promote public safety – it endangers it.

The NYCLU has a team of legal observers monitoring today’s events. We will work to ensure that police are held accountable for any misconduct. By all indication, the Occupy Wall Street protests will continue for some time, and we expect the NYPD to adapt its practices to accommodate protest.”

The NYCLU has protest monitors across Lower Manhattan, from Zuccotti Park to Duarte Square, and is monitoring the situation as it unfolds. Live updates are being posted on the NYCLU’s Twitter feed, twitter.com/nyclu. The organization is urging its 50,000 members to raise their voices and call 311 to complain that the NYPD is unlawfully blocking access to Zuccotti Park. We’re also asking protesters to share their stories and experiences with police via email at protest@nyclu.org.