http://gothamist.com/2011/11/28/protesters_confronted_by_heavy_nypd.php#photo-1Several hundred protesters are currently marching near Baruch College at 24th Street at Lexington Avenue to demonstrate against the planned $300/year (over five years) tuition hikes that the City University Board of Trustees is expected to vote on this afternoon, as well as a need for "democratic accountability." There's a heavy NYPD presence, with police on scooters attempting to funnel the demonstrators into barricaded areas and off the street.
Student loan bills are being burnt, and chants like "Banks got bailed out / Students got sold out," made popular by the Occupy movement, can be heard along the route. A freelance photographer tweeted, "Would LOVE an explanation from @NYPD / @DCPI why Officer Torres #11394 found it necessary to run me over TWICE on his motorbike. #CUNY" The photographer, Daniella Zalcman, added, "Visible press credential, camera in hand, very obviously working. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE." There's also a heavy union presence, with the TWU and the CWA getting top billing.
Updates below
According to CBS, the CUNY trustees have approved the tuition hikes that were expected to pass this evening. NYPD officers in riot gear, around 16 of them according to one reporter, have arrived outside the 25th street entrance to Baruch.
https://twitter.com/#!/CBSNewYork/status/141282990406909952We'll update as pertinent details become available. You can see the livestream here.
http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution/According to reporter Ryan Devereaux, around 500 students and protesters are now approaching Gramercy Park.
https://twitter.com/#!/RDevro/status/141286476213260288About 500 demonstrators approaching Gramercy Pk protesting CUNY tuition hikes and exclusion of students/faculty in decision-making process.