Posted on 03/31/2007 10:13:34 PM PDT by do the dhue
Police owe no one an apology for their wide-ranging surveillance of potential protesters ahead of the 2004 Republican National Convention, Commissioner Ray Kelly said yesterday.
Kelly, lashing back at critics who had complained that the surveillance went too far, said cops "did an absolutely superb job."
"Yes, we sent detectives out of state to gather information but with good reason," Kelly said.
That reason, he said, was to "stop the kind of violence and other vandalism that crippled Seattle and other cities abroad."
He was referring to protesters who rioted at a 1999 economic summit in Seattle and at several economic summits in Europe.
Fearing similar violence in New York, cops prepared by sending intelligence officers across the United States and to Europe to monitor potential protesters.
Kelly noted that the department's efforts allowed a number of big protests to go on, including one involving 800,000 people.
"We defended free speech during the Republican National Convention," he said, calling cops' efforts "the Police Department's finest hour."
"A small percentage of people wanted to come here [and] create havoc," Kelly added. "They called it 'a day of chaos.' They were going to shut down the city."
More than 1,800 people were arrested during the four-day convention at Madison Square Garden.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
The spoiled, immature brats who compose the New Left just hate it when somebody spoils their fun.
LOL
I drove from Texas to Indiana (I grew up there). Picked up some old friends. We drove to DC and stood with the Gathering of Eagles on March 17th. 3000 mile round trip. I got my Americana on and it was great. I lost my voice on 21st and Constitution. I want to do it again.
These idiot protesters thought they were going to overwhelm the NYPD..HA! The NYPD has been around in some way shape or form since the 1600's. They dealt with the draft riots of the 1860's and mob riots in the days of Tammany Hall when hand axes and hammers were being thrown at people in crowds. Did these spoiled children think their antics were going to get past these guys?
I am going to go lay down and day dream for a while...
My therapist says that is good for my Post Traumatic Liberal Stress disorder (PTLSD).
Bless you for your actions!
(I took the subway to get to RNC convention counter-protest).
BUMP!
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