Video: NY State Courthouse picket for Central Park Aug 29 rally

Video by Jeff Paterson.
Article by Sebastian Blanco.

From the streets to the courtroom you could hear the voices. Chanting “Whose park? Our Park” and an interactive pointing game of “This (the picket line) is what democracy looks like, that (the courthouse) is what hypocrisy looks like,” about 100 people from various organizations gathered at the steps of the State Courthouse in New York City this morning to show their support for the permit for the Central Park rally this weekend. Many folks carried “I SAY NO to the Bush Agenda”

As United for Peace and Justice’s Leslie Cagan was taking the stand, people in the picket line interacted with the press and passersby. Police quickly set up barriers around the protestors, but anyone had free access to the courtroom. Inside the third-floor courtroom you could hear the action on the streets through the open windows. It’s good to rally in the summer.

During the picket line, a half dozen young people told the gathered news media (including USA Today, ARD German television, Italian News service, the local FOX affiliate, the Washington Times, Newsday and more) their feelings on the ongoing battle for Central Park. The press conference (last photo) lasted about 30 minutes and included 14-year-old Not in Our Name organizer Hannah Zeavin-Muser. Hannah spoke last, but garnered the loudest applause and told a reporter following her speech that she plans to be in Central Park on Sunday, August 29th.