Economic forum protesters give peace a chance

Associated Press

NEW YORK – The “Radical Rockettes” sang against the World Economic Forum. A man sported a shark hat as a symbol of corporate greed. Some chanted against racism. Others supported the Palestinians. And nearly all remained peaceful.

For the first time since the forum opened, protesters turned out in large numbers on Saturday to shout for their causes and criticize the international business and government leaders meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

“Stop the capitalist oil spill,” read one hand-painted sign.

“We are all Palestinians,” said a neon orange sticker worn by many protesters.

“KKK in the White House,” announced another sign.

Other demonstrators complained about Navy bombing practice in Puerto Rico, military intervention in Somalia and racial profiling.

Thousands of police officers, both mounted and on foot, kept demonstrators in two designated areas near the Waldorf and shepherded other protesters who marched to the hotel from rallies elsewhere in the city.

Protesters and police engaged in a couple of brief shoving matches, but there was none of the serious violence that has marred protests at recent gatherings of international leaders in other cities.

The demonstrations near the hotel wrapped up by midevening and the protesters dispersed.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said 36 people were arrested during the day.

Officers detained 27 protesters outside the Plaza hotel near Central Park for unlawful assembly or disorderly conduct, Kelly said. He said “specific information” had been received that the demonstrators, all carrying wooden shields or masks, planned to attack police.

Nine other people were arrested at three different locations, including four after a scuffle with officers on Lexington Avenue, Kelly said. Three police officers suffered minor injuries during the day, he said.

With hundreds of police in riot gear watching, demonstrators marched 1 1/2miles to the hotel early in the afternoon, causing traffic jams. During the march, a group of about a dozen counter-protesters stood on 51st Street, expressing their disdain for the demonstrators. “Seek therapy,” read one sign waved by the group, which was blaring “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Epitomizing the well-mannered attitude of activists, Anthony Flynn showed up at Columbus Circle dressed in suit and tie for his protest against the forum, an annual meeting of business elite.

“This is a cocktail party for the rich,” the 18-year-old said. “So we’re here for the cocktail party.”

After two days of rain, protesters ranging from teens to senior citizens were out in temperatures in the mid-30s and winds gusting to 20 mph.

The marchers included the “Radical Rockettes,” a group of women in Statue of Liberty costumes. Using the tune of “New York, New York,” they sang, “If they can WEF us here, they’ll WEF us anywhere.”

Pete Myers, a social worker from Ithaca, N.Y., wore a shark hat – complete with two menacing rows of teeth – as a symbol of corporate greed.

“The idea is that the U.S. is being taken over by corporate interests,” he said. “It’s not a democracy. There’s a few people making decisions for the rest of the world.”

Bill Starr, 68, the Episcopalian chaplain at Columbia University, joined the demonstrations with Susan Strane, 57, a Manhattan writer.

“Susan and I cut our teeth on the (Vietnam) anti-war movement,” said Starr. “It’s good to be back.”

Starr said she wanted to show support for the gripes of a new generation: “When I was young and in demonstrations, it was comforting to see older people there.”