Letter Writing: Investigate Claims of Sexual Assault By NYPD Against OWS Protesters
Posted in Editorials on May 5th, 2012by Elizabeth
Tags: Feminism • First Amendment Solutions • Letter Writing Sunday • Politics
On Friday’s Majority Report, Sam Seder interviewed show regular Jeff Smith of Occupy Wall Street. They spoke of an article by David Graeber, detailing accusations of systemic sexual assault against women OWS protesters by the NYPD. They speculated that this is being done to provoke a reaction from other peaceful protesters, especially men.
This is outrageous and must be investigated. I sent the following email to my City Councilman, Mayor Bloomberg, State Assemblyman, State Senator, Governor Cuomo, Congressman and Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.
Today I read a very disturbing blog post by David Graeber describing what appears to be a systemic use of sexual assault against female Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City:
These allegations are shocking and outrageous. I urge you to please look into them, and if they are valid, please take action to protect the rights of all New Yorkers. I feel strongly that First Amendment Rights must be protected. As a woman, I have the right to peacefully protest without fear of sexual assault from the NYPD.
I also contacted the New York Times Ombudsman, and I encourage you to do the same.
Contact your NYC city council person.
Contact Mayor Bloomberg.
Contact your New York State Assembly Member
Contact your New York State Senator.
May 5th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I find the NYC police conduct completely reprehensible because of recent sexual assaults on women. The women were protesting peacefully with the Occupy Wall Street contingency. A friend’s niece was one of the young women assaulted.
As the director of conferences for a major industrial firm, I select which cities our 8,000 attendees visit for our semi-annual conferences. From the violent behavior of the NYC police towards peaceful protesters in New York City, I have decided that until there is both a new mayor and a new police chief in New York, my firm will not hold conferences in New York. Further, I am advising the members of my large trade association that the streets of New York are not safe for visitors because of violent police conduct.