World Economic Forum Protest in New York City, February 2, 2002

The first major New York demonstration following the September 11 attacks.

On February 2, 2002, tens of thousands of protesters converged in New York City in the first major NYC protest since the Sept. 11 attacks. The occasion? The World Economic Forum. At the beginning of the demonstration, the anti-capitalist and black bloc section was attacked by police and several were arrested. Not many other protesters realized because these folks were towards the end of the march.

Walking through Central Park would be the last time we'd have space around us. As soon as we hit the streets, we were penned in by police and smashed together like sardines. Most likely, police were sending the message to protesters: "We'll let you be here, but we'll make it as unenjoyable as possible."

I am including here a 2005 radio essay by Mumia (not very related to the 2002 event) which talks a little about the World Economic Forum.

Mumia Abu-Jamal's Radio Broadcasts

Higher Quality Audio files available info@prisonradio.org

Copyright 2005 Mumia Abu-Jamal/Prison Radio

"Targeting Journalists? "

rec 3-30-05

1) 2:24 short radio essay MP3

2) 4:02 long radio essay MP3

THE TARGETING OF JOURNALISTS
=============================
[Col. Writ. 3/30/05] Copyright 2005 Mumia Abu-Jamal

At the last meeting of the World Economic Forum, a top CNN news executive, Eason Jordan, said that the U.S. Army targeted and killed a dozen journalists.

The corporate media went hog-wild -- and within days, Jordan backpedaled from his assertion, and when that did not quell the blogstorm that erupted, he submitted his resignation.

The majoritarian, white nationalist media effectively exiled Jordan from the club, for daring to denounce the actions of the empire.

Eason Jordan did not betray the journalistic profession, but he did betray the class interests that owns the journalism industry, and the Empire forced him out.

For it is unacceptable for the nation-state that preaches to the world the glories of the First Amendment, that declares its fealty to 'freedom of the press', actually targeted journalists.

But what are the facts?

Within days of the CNN resignation, an Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, would narrowly escape death at the hands of U.S. soldiers, who fired over 300 bullets at her vehicle as she was riding away from being held captive in Iraq. She seemed safer in the clutches of the "terrorists" than in the gunsights of the U.S. 'liberators!'

Was Ms. Sgrena "targeted?" According to Piero Scolari, who was in the car with her, the shooting was a"deliberate attempt" by U.S. forces to silence her, for Sgrena "had information due to which the U.S. military did not want her to leave alive" [Prensa Latina, Mar. 5, 2005; *Socialist Viewpoint*, Mar. '05, p. 34].

Why? Because Giuliana Sgrena did some first-hand reporting at the mosque in Falluja, where people went seeking refuge during U.S. air raids in February.

Sgrena was wounded during the shooting, and one of her Italian protectors, Nicola Calipari, was slain by the U.S. gunmen.

Sgrena writes for the Italian paper, *Il Manifesto*. Agent Calipari was the chief negotiator who secured Sgrena's release. At the time of his killing, he threw his body over Sgrena's, and received the bullets intended for her.

The unfortunate truth is Sgrena's shooting caused attention here in the West, because she is European. If the journalist had been an Arab, barely a ripple would've been made.

In Spring, 2003, Jordanian journalist, Tariq Ayoub, who worked for the *Jordan Times* (Al-Ra'i), and the Baghdad branch of Al-Jazeera network, was killed by U.S. forces. Indeed, other Arab journalists, working for Al-Jazeera, and the Abu Dhabi network, were *bombed* by American forces. Have we forgotten the bombing and strafing of the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad, a place frequented by Arab journalists?

   With the exception of Ayoub, we neither know, (nor care to know, truth be told) their names. They are -- what's the word that was used during the first Iraq War? -- 'collateral damage.' They are Arabs who were 'un-embedded', and thus expendable.

   At the time of Ayoub's killing, CENTCOM spokesman, Gen. Vincent Brooks put the question of targeting journalists in interesting relief: "We bomb locations with precision, and we pay attention to locations where journalists are present." [*World Press Review*, [vol.50:No.6], June 2003, p. 24].    Ayoub's colleague, Sultan al-Hatab, writing in Al-Ra'i would note:

Tariq Ayoub was a journalist who prevented the warmongers from completely narrating the story, and he strayed from the official Arab script dictated to Arab news agencies. He did so using no methods other than those of a real journalist; professionalism, independence, and being a witness on the ground. [From: Al-Hatab, Sultan, "Tariq Ayoub: Setting an Example", *Al-Ra'i*, Amman, Jordan, April 9, 2003; Repr., *World Press Review*, June 2003, p. 24]

Targeting journalists? What do you think?

This was a sign of what was to come as all day protesters were penned in and made to feel like sardines.

War is Terrorism x 100

Free Mumia!

Anti-Capitalist Contingent and others gather in park before march. When the march departed minutes later, these folks were attacked by police and arrested.

TV's Against Corporate World Domination gather in park.

Those anarchists that escaped the police attack march out of the park to join the main march through town.

They continue, but not without confronting police.

As we reach the streets, police squeeze us in tight and take half the street for themselves, and freshen the air quality with their motorcycles constantly driving past.