Michael Kane
Arrests at Ground Zero - "9/11 Solidarity Actions"
Fri Feb 13 21:25:33 2004
64.140.158.112

Arrests at Ground Zero
http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2004%20News%20archives/Feb/13%20n/Arrests%20at%20Ground%20Zero.htm
Feb 13,2004

http://septembereleventh.org/groundzero.php


Group Calls For "9/11 Solidarity Actions" Around the World

Ground Zero was the most logical place. A loose group of people united only by unanswered questions about9 / 11needed somewhere to meet. They were looking for a highly visible base for a movement to pressure the Bush Administration to cooperate with the 9/11 investigation. So far, Bush has only put obstacles in the way. So the group, unofficially calling themselves "the NY 9/11 Truth Alliance," decided to meet on Saturdays at Ground Zero. Every Saturday.

The first afternoon, standing there with a large banner that read "The Bush Regime Engineerd 9/11," and signs reading "Support the Families: Stop 9/11 Cover-Up" and "Bush Knew" they didn't know how people would respond. Ground Zero is not only hallowed ground, it elicits a thousand different knee-jerk reactions across the political spectrum.

"We weren't sure what to expect that first day," said9 / 11activist Cristian Fleming, "So we were surprised at the people from all walks of life who came up to thank us for having the courage to do this and asking how they might get involved."

The first Saturday afternoon at Ground Zero, a contingent of the NY9 / 11 Truth Alliance handed out more than a thousand pieces of literature that pointed out several inconsistencies in the Official Version of how the events of that day happened, who did it, and what the Bush Administration knew beforehand.

Truth Alliance member opinions span the various theories that have developed since 9/11, from those who are convinced that "Bush, Cheney & Co. knew it was coming and let it happen" to people who say "They planned and executed it" to others who are just frustrated the 9/11 Commission cannot do its job. As a group, they decided to agree on a full disclosure of the truth and an end to what they see as a cover-up by the Bush Administration of the facts.

The goal of the Alliance is to create a movement of inquiring minds who will gather at figurative "Ground Zeros" around the world, in their own towns and cities to raise awareness and demand answers in advance of what is widely expected to be a "whitewash" 9/11Commission Report, slated for release in May of this year.

"We call it 'Ground Zero solidarity action,'" said Michael Kane,."We are at Ground Zero from noon to 4 or 5 every Saturday. Rain or shine...snow, whatever. We will be there."

The Alliance is asking anyone who believes that the questions about 9/11 are not being answered to get involved at the local level, to create their own Truth Alliances.

"We intend to become an indelible part of the landscape at Ground Zero, and we hope that other people will do the same in their own communities we have no time to lose, this can not be allowed to be whitewashed into history for the good of those who would profit from it," said Fleming, "When it becomes apparent that the media and politicians abdicate their obligation to vigorously seek the truth in favor of self interest, It is the duty of the people to demand truth on the streets. The victim's families deserve the truth, the American people deserve the truth and the future of this country rests on the vigilance of its citizens in demanding that truth."

Arrests at Ground Zero

by Michael Kane
Sunday, Feb 8 , 2004
http://www.prisonplanet.com/020504bushknew.html

OArrests at Ground Zero
Police Claim Ground Zero Sidewalk is “Private Property” --by Michael Kane

On February7 th,2004 , four activists from the “No Police State Coalition” were arrested at Ground Zero when they refused a police order to move from in front of the World Trade Center Path Train Station. The police claimed the sidewalk directly in front of the train station was “private property” of the Port Authority.

I overheard an officer say to one of the onlookers witnessing the arrests, “This is private property, they were asked to leave and they refused. They’re not being arrested for what they have to say. If they would have went to the other side of the street, that would have been fine”.

But the Port Authority is only partially a private entity. It is also a public entity, receiving public funding to create public spaces such as train stations and sidewalks. The sidewalk should constitute a public forum, meaning it is not a privately owned store or home, and therefore the rights of free speech are guaranteed.

Dennis Griggs, Joel Meyers, Geoffrey Blank and Jason Blank were charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, refusing to disperse and refusing a lawful order from a police officer, but they contend the order given by the police was completely unlawful. They say there was no lawful reason given for them to disperse and the request was in direct violation of their constitutional, inalienable rights of free speech and assembly.

“We weren’t arrested for trespassing on the sidewalk, we were arrested for holding signs”, said Geoffrey Blank, one of the four activists from the “No Police State Coalition” arrested on Saturday.

“Going forward, I feel good about this”, he said.

According to Geoffrey, there is a law that bans exhibiting a sign or banner in the World Trade Center. This is the law he claims they will be charged in violation of, but Geoffrey contends the law itself is unconstitutional on its face. He was very confident when he told me they are going to “see this to the end”.

FTW readers will recall on January3 rd, 2004 the NY Truth Movement began its visibility campaign at Ground Zero with the controversial sign “THE BUSH REGIME ENGINEERED9 -11”. On that date, Nico Haupt and Geoffrey Blank were physically removed from in front of the WTC Path Train Station. Since then, the NY Truth Movement has set up shop directly across the street every Saturday. http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/010404_nyc911new.html

“Getting educational material to the public and making space for discussion about9 - 11is our priority”, said one9 - 11Truth activist named Cristian. He continued, “I have no problem cooperating with the police as long as my rights of free speech and assembly aren’t violated. I’m not coming here every Saturday to piss-off the cops. I’m here to get a dialogue going that is critical to save our country”.

No one from the NY9 - 11Truth Movement was arrested. http://www.septembereleventh.org

The NY9 - 11Truth Movement has worked with the “No Police State Coalition” on various occasions. This group does not back down for anyone, and often their strategies do not gain popular support. Nevertheless, these arrests may prove to be of major significance. The courts must now rule if free speech is allowed on the sidewalk in front of Ground Zero. This has been repeatedly denied to the NY 911 Truth Movement. I myself have been told by Port Authority police there was no way they would allow me to display our sign on that side of the street.

I have always complied.

The four activists received a summons to appear in court on March18 th, 2004 . Since they only received a summons and were let go after 4 short hours, it appears the police didn’t want to arrest them, just shut them up. It is likely the judge presiding will dismiss the charges based on “facial insufficiency”, but since Geoffrey contends the law is unconstitutional on it’s face this will not be an acceptable resolution. The case will likely go to criminal court.

The arrest came after a successful “March for9 - 11Truth” down Broadway ended at Ground Zero with two banners reading “THE BUSH REGIME ENGINEERED9 -11” and one reading “STOP THE POLICE STATE”. When those carrying the banners set up right in front of the WTC Path Station, the police were taken by surprise and left unsure how to react. There were too many people for them to react as quickly, and illegally, as they did over a month ago. A crowd of onlookers quickly formed.

Regardless of how the legal issues work out, it was a powerful display that lasted over an hour. Educational literature was dispersed to many who passed by. The majority of people seemed to feel this is what makes New York great, while a minority felt differently. When the arrests happened, one local resident was almost in tears as he said, “I can’t believe I just saw these people arrested for free speech in my own neighborhood”.

Believe it.

I was there covering the event, which will be included in an upcoming documentary on the NY9 - 11Truth Movement. I don’t know if I agree with the tactics of those who were arrested, even though I believe they were well within their rights the entire time. I certainly know it is not how I would have handled myself. But what is clear is that this is only the beginning of a long battle to bring Truth into the consciousness of Americans everywhere, starting at Ground Zero, and now in the courts.

One thing is certain – the NY9 - 11Truth Movement will be back at Ground Zero next Saturday, at noon, with our signs and literature to disperse to the public. We will remain on the other side of the street, where the police have basically left us alone for the past month, until the legal issues are worked out.

With the Republican National Convention scheduled to be in New York in September, one wonders if there are plans to rid Ground Zero of the dangerous truth being presented by concerned citizens. This bold move by the “No Police State Coalition” is an offensive move in a game of social-justice-chess, and at stake is the essence of what it means to be free. The “No Police State Coalition” is not asking for their rights, they are demanding them.

Keep your ear to the ground – I doubt mainstream media will touch this one.

peace eternal

m>k

Michael Kane is a member of the NY 9-11 Truth Movement who has been forced into journalism since no other “journalist” will cover the Movement. He is an associate producer of Shadow Government TV and is following the SGTV motto:

BECOME THE MEDIA.

NYC Indymedia
Friday, Jan16 ,2004
http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/85354/index.php 

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