New York Churches Shelter Occupy Protesters, Now Monitored By New York Police

By Tanya Somanader on Nov 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm

With Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) ratcheting up police crackdowns on Occupy Wall Street this week, the New York Times reports that several churches in New York City are sheltering protesters who can no longer stay in Zucotti Park. About 46 protesters spent Wednesday night in the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew. However, instead of respecting the sanctuary, police in plainclothes are entering churches to monitor their conduct.

According to church officials, two police officers (one later identified as belonging to the intelligence division) asked to use the bathroom but instead “entered the sanctuary, one remaining near the door while the other advanced down the aisle, apparently counting the demonstrators in the pews.” Then, one officer went downstairs to a homeless women’s shelter and “asked for information about who was sleeping there” without identifying himself or showing his badge. The church’s Rev. James Karpen called the police actions “invasive”:

“It is disconcerting that they would actually enter the sanctuary,” said the Rev. James Karpen, known as Reverend K, senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, on West 86th Street. “Here we had offered hospitality and safety, which is our business as a church; it just felt invasive.” <...>

“They are welcome to come in if they just say who they are,” Mr. Karpen said. “We have never had that kind of issue with the police before. Usually, they are very respectful of church-state issues.”

http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/18/372320/new-york-churches-shelter-occupy-protesters-now-monitored-by-new-york-police/

(First, they came for the Muslims and their mosques, but I was not a Muslim so I didn't speak up . .)

:puke:

And people say that our country is not a police state... Cops invading churches are at the very least an intimidation tactic. How are they getting away with this?

And it seems like they want to escalate the situation, like they are happy to do so.

Hey, NYPD, how could you sustain any "injuries" at all while attired in riot gear and in possession of weapons of deadly force?

We saw a protester beaten bloody by a member of the NYPD on camera yesterday. I'm sure he was the least of it.

got 22 stitches from a broken bottle may be true. They won't say how though.

The other 4 were from foot cramps while marching with the protesters lol.

I wonder if the police kinda understand they are tools. I'm not familiar with what their union says, but wonder if they can say that they disagree with attacking peaceful citizens and keep their job.

A pregnant woman was pepper-sprayed (or shall I say, hosed down?) two days ago at Occupy Seattle.

Scott Olson of Occupy Oakland still can't speak, can he?

The guy that got beat up yesterday evidently lost some teeth. There was video on DU of a woman who got punched in the face and knocked to the ground by a NYPD officer for showing him a copy of the court order allowing protesters back into Zuccotti Park.

Sorry for my cynicism, but frankly, it's time for most in media to start reporting the truth about the militarization of the nation's police force.

:hug:

The local FAUX affiliate was breathlessly reporting "SEVEN OFFICERS INJURED IN NEW YORK CITY". Of course, there was no other info to be had.

I'm wondering when someone, anyone, in the press will start doing their job.

In a year or two, these news agencies will be worthless. I watch the live stream and what is really going on. You can't seperate the video from the truth...as it happens.

To me (and i'm 51) it is something the young people do well. They all have cameras and phones with cameras...pics and capturing the reality. The world IS WATCHING.

All the money that poured into DHS and police can never hide their anti-American ways. And they are just understanding it. I think NYPD tried to cut the ustream last night...pretty sure they did.

We have work to do for next year.

I wonder what my parents would have thought if they'd lived long enough to see this. I also wonder what kind of world our six-year-old nephews will have in only a few years' time if we don't stand up.

>I think NYPD tried to cut the ustream last night...pretty sure they did.<

I agree. The NYPD obviously believes they're above the law. I know Seattle PD does as well.

>We have work to do for next year.<

If an 84-year-old woman is willing to get pepper sprayed for the things she believes in, the least I can do is stand out there with her.

:hurts:

RECALL WALKER/KLEEFISCH!!!

I was SURE someone would be along to tell us how 100% wrong the churches (and all people of faith) are, and how useless and deluded church-goers are, and sky wizards (ho, ho, ho, that one never gets old). Perplexing for DU.

- especially working class Americans and peoples of colour.

I understand why anyone would be offended at the aggressive, arrogant words and actions of some of the fundamentalist churches who don't recognize any faith but there own as legitimate, and who would like to claim the entire nation for their faith. Those that bear no resemblance what so ever to the christ they claim to follow. I'm offended myself.

That doesn't mean that I, and others, don't respect the right of every individual to practice their own faith, as long as it harms none. I respect the right of some to choose science as their belief system, as well. Science is a body of knowledge and tools that can do great good, or great harm. I'm also offended at the more fundamentalist versions of that group, who want to deny possibilities that don't fit what they can currently understand and prove. I thrive on unanswered questions; for me, it's the journey, not the answer, that gives meaning to our lives.

For any authentic, old-school liberals, for the socialist left...people who actually try to live the recorded words and deeds of Jesus are welcome and valued. How could they not be? Help for the poor and the sick? Service to others?

I'm happy to welcome anyone following an enlightened path, regardless of who forged it.

that law enforcement would invade churches or other places and people offering sanctuary for such purposes.

Seems to me the cops are getting out of hand.