December 22, 2005
NYPD Loves a Protest...When It Can Go Undercover
There is an awesome NY Times story about how the police "covertly join in" various city protests, possibly to rile things up. Gothamist knew that those ads for NYPD recruitment were to attract a hipper, younger force, sort of like a 2005 version of 21 Jump Street! It seems that the operation has been to surveil crowds ever since the start of the Republican National Convention, back at the end of August 2004. The NYPD claims that the undercover officers are trying to keep the peace, not "investigate political activities." The Times looked at some footage that showed "at least 10 officers...incognito at the events," seeming to affirm what civilians are saying:
Ryan Kuonen, 32, who took part in a "ride of silence" in memory of a dead cyclist, said that two undercover officers - one with a camera - subverted the event. "They were just in your face," she said. "It made what was a really solemn event into something that seemed wrong. It made you feel like you were a criminal. It was grotesque."And there's a bit in the article about a mysterious blond protester who might just be a police officer (he's not handcuffed when others are). Dunh dunh DUNH. This comes at the NYCLU is trying to get the NYPD to stop videotaping demonstrations. And can you imagine the police officers who get this undercover duty? Is it like Donnie Brasco, where they start to really feel for the protesters? And remember the Fox show, New York Undercover?
Photograph from Jake Dobkin
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Ryan Kuonen, 32, who took part in a "ride of silence" in memory of a dead cyclist, said that two undercover officers - one with a camera - subverted the event. "They were just in your face," she said. "It made what was a really solemn event into something that seemed wrong. It made you feel like you were a criminal. It was grotesque."
Does this mean that Critical Mass is welcome to participate at the next memorial of a NYPD officer?
Ryan Kuonen, 32, who took part in a "ride of silence" in memory of a dead cyclist, said that two undercover officers - one with a camera - subverted the event. "They were just in your face," she said. "It made what was a really solemn event into something that seemed wrong. It made you feel like you were a criminal. It was grotesque."
Does this mean that Critical Mass is welcome to participate at the next memorial of a NYPD officer?
This is not news, the NYPD has being doing this for years. Many times the undercovers are easy to spot becuase they generally dress like they are looking to buy drugs in the bronx. With the RNC, the NYPD wised-up and began to dress like protesters, many wore black T-shirts with Bush's face with a red line going through it. I always make a point to ask the undercovers political questions about the protests. They usually respond "I'm just doing my job."
Another way to tell who are the undercovers is they tend to be the 40 year-old beefy Irish looking thick necked Long Island guys. They tend to stand out among the vegans and the 19 year olds lesbians. A bigger issue is the agent provacateurs that are put in the crowds. Whenever there is a confrontation with police in uniform, the undercovers swoop in from behind and begin a smackdown. You just have to have your wits about you and assume they you are being watched at all times and that double agents have infiltrated every movement.
The FBI has been keeping tabs on PETA llama protests for Christ sakes, so pretty much they are everywhere. This is Bush's America, we just live here.
Merry Christmas.
my friend works for the nypd and did undercover work at the RNC
you could never tell though, he dresses like he worked at Urban Outfitters or Diesel
i want to see a picture of the blond haired dude that is mentioned in the full NYTimes article. he sounds strangely like the albino terrorist guy in the jodie Foster movie - Contact
This is not new.
However, undercover cops come from a diverse pool nowadays. sure you'll get your Giants/Jets/Mets/Yankee jersey wearing guys but you'll also get your regular looking williamsburg transplant looking fellow.
This is because of the economy. And, working undercover is one of the quickest ways to advance.
shovel--great idea. i think that the critical mass mass should show up at the next memorial service for a cop and claim that we feel like he (or she...) was one of us.
Aren't these protests open to the public? Then why does anyone have a problem with undercover cops being there? Only the law breakers need worry. Having officers in the crowd makes it possible to grab the bad apples before things get out of hand.
Cops are there to stir trouble to give an excuse to take the possible leaders away. Why not wear balaklavas, or bandanas on face to protest being taped? I went to one where cops were filming and it sure was intimidating.
From the NY Times video and slideshow, One undercover cop was their to stir up "trouble".
and, it worked. The blond fellow with the tar under his eyes.
Merry Christmas NYC. All the people that ride on our backs are sticking it in from behind. Hello MTA and NYPD! Patriot act was extended for 6 months today. I feel sooo much safer!!!
Slimjim-
Houses of worship are generally open to the public, do you want undercover police in every church, synagogue or mosque.
Drop the slave mentality.
utw,
New York has an ordinance dating back to 1845 that prohibits demonstrators from wearing masks. It was used to stop a KKK demonstration in 1999.