Subject: Announcement to the Community:Update on yesterday's events
Update from The New School

New York City, April 11, 2009 - Early yesterday morning, a New School building at the corner of 14th Street and 5th Avenue was illegally broken into by approximately 30 people, some of whom were New School students. The police were involved and 22 protesters were arrested. Any participant that is enrolled at The New School will be suspended pending completion of disciplinary proceedings. Below is a timeline of activity of yesterday's events.

At 5:25am, a maintenance employee for The New School was in the cafeteria in 65th 5th Avenue. He heard a loud bang when over two dozen protesters with crowbars broke the locks on the side door on 13th Street. As he exited the cafeteria, he was overwhelmed by another group of protestors, some wearing face masks. He reported being physically grabbed by four men and forced out the door. During this time, they stole his security two-way radio.

A security supervisor responded to a call from the maintenance employee and went to the buildings entrance on 13th Street, where he interrupted the protestors in their effort to block the doorway. Although students have publicly denied that anyone was hurt, participants slammed the supervisors leg in the door as he tried to enter through the door. He sustained injuries to his leg and went to the emergency room at St. Vincents Hospital.

The protesters carried crowbars, bolt-cutters, mace, paint, hundreds of feet of security cable, masking and duct tape, kryptonite locks, and hundreds of feet of nylon rope into the building. They were also carrying sleeping bags and food, indicating they planned to be in the building for some time.

Security called 911 to report a burglary at The New School and gave the location at 65 5th Avenue. The initial NYPD responding units arrived at the scene in three minutes and began assembling a comprehensive team to deal with the break-in. NYPD have been on alert since December 2008 as there have been numerous attempts to break into this building before. NYPD protocols dictated the nature of the response by the police.

The protesters, some but not all of whom were New School students, blocked all building entrances. They used conduit pipe, or hollow metal bars, heavy, plastic-coated security cable, and gravity locks to block the doors, which were then reinforced with desks and chairs. They used Crazy Glue on all the locks. They put duct tape over all security cameras and transmission devices, effectively cutting off the buildings network service. They also cut through the cage inside the building to the cafeteria and smashed the cash register.

Between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., up to nine hooded individuals appeared on the roof of the building, where they made a statement and hung signs at the 13th Street and 5th Avenue corner of the building.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. a group of students tried to escape through an exit on 14th Street. It is estimated that eight participants escaped down 14th Street. Three were caught by the NYPD and resisted arrest. The individuals included three students, one from The New School, one from Brooklyn College and one from NYU, who was confirmed by NYU security as a member of their previous occupation. These protesters hurt two police officers and face charges of assault in the 2nd degree. One protester, a New School student, was hurt in the altercation.

At 11:45, the NYPD prepared to enter the building. Using a megaphone, Tim Sikorski, head of New School security, warned the protesters they would be arrested and the NYPDs hostage negotiation leader also made a similar announcement. Protesters responded to the NYPDs request and unlocked the doors and let the NYPD in.

There were 16 males and 3 females present in the building. All were arrested, in addition to the 3 arrested earlier on 14th Street. It is unknown at this time how many participants were New School students. There were participants from other universities as well as other unaffiliated individuals. Protesters inside the building did not resist arrest. The NYPD used plastic handcuffs and led each participant out of the building. They were taken to NYPDs central booking. All participants face charges for burglary in the 3rd degree, a charge stemming from breaking into an unoccupied building.

There were two arrests, according to the AP, after NYPD cops blocked the group from reaching Kerrey's home. That comes on the heels of yesterday's arrests of 22 students after the cops rather brutally shut down a brief occupation of a New School building and then totally got caught lying about it.

The cops initially insisted that pepper spray wasn't used in yesterday morning's operation, telling the New York Time's City Blog yesterday that it was "untrue that pepper spray or mace was used in effectuating the arrests." When that was challenged, a spokesman later clarified that he meant no pepper spray was used to arrest people inside the building. But after being shown video footage of actual pepper spray actually being sprayed into the occupied building by actual cops, an NYPD spokesman offered this gem of a quote to the Times this morning: "Now, once I see it, I know what is going on."

You also can't shove people for videotaping you in the course of your police misconduct! City Room finally posted this video from the New School protest that was crushed by the police earlier today. When you watch it, keep in mind that the NYPD's spokesperson told the NYT it was "untrue that pepper spray or mace were used in effectuating the arrests." Liar:

At around 11, riot cops stormed the occupied building and started pulling out the protesters and arresting them. It looks like this occupation—the most reasonable one so far—is now over. Note to protesters: an end like this is far, far better for your cause than, say, the pitiful fizzle that happened at NYU. New School prez Bob Kerrey just sent out this email to the student body:

Subject: Announce from President Kerrey Concerning today's Break In at 65 5th Avenue

April 10, 2009

A Note to the Community

On December 15, 2008, an unofficial student organization calling themselves the New School in Exile occupied the cafeteria at 65 Fifth Avenue, barricaded themselves into the room, and issued a set of demands. Early on the morning of December 16, a group of students and non-students broke through a fire exit on 14th street and entered the building.

Although the occupants had violated a number of important security rules, the university made the judgment they were neither an operational or a security risk. Accordingly, we did not file a complaint with the New York Police Department to have the occupants removed. Instead we entered into a process of negotiations with our students and reached agreement on a list of demands including amnesty for all involved early on the morning of December 17. The students left peacefully at that time.

In January, this same unofficial student organization issued a public threat to forcefully shut down the university on April 1 unless the President and Chief Operating Officer were removed. Following this they were caught stealing an entire edition of the student newspaper on account of a story they regarded as unfavorable to them; and subsequently they vandalized the university's presidential residence.

During this time the university has allowed and accommodated every peaceful protest, teach-in, and demonstration. We have enforced our rules governing such events in such a way as to permit protests, so long as they don't endanger the safety of other members of the community or destruction of property.

This morning's illegal occupation of 65 Fifth Avenue was joined by a number of New School in Exile students as well as individuals without any affiliation to The New School. Their claim that this was a simple political protest is false. Their entry into this building was forced, they removed a man who was cleaning the building, took his phone, injured a security officer, and did physical damage to the building.

Accordingly, in this case the university asked the New York Police Department to remove and arrest those who were trespassing on our property. We suspended, pending administrative review, all New School students who were a part of this action.

The New School prides itself on civic engagement. We have been and will continue to be a refuge for open and critical political debate. Students and faculty who choose to peacefully and passionately oppose the policies of the university will have their rights to do so protected as strongly as we protect our right to safely and securely operate our university.

President Bob Kerrey

[Pic: yee.doris' Flickr. If you have video of the alleged police pepper spray rampage, send it here]

They want hated New School prez Bob Kerrey and his top crony to resign. They told him they'd do this if he didn't resign by April 1, and he didn't so here they are. Might have been even worse if they punked out. But at least the one kid who got interviewed on NY1 this morning sounded rather reasonable, so we'll give them some time to prove themselves. Send breaking revolutionary news here.

Here is the most outrageous instance of security guard brutality shown on the protesters' website:

"How dare you? Shame! Shame!" Is it me, or do these kids sound like Puritans who just found a witch? Sure, the guy is acting like a prick. But the response... eh. I don't see any blood. I didn't even see any punches. Come now.

What did the occupiers win as their greatest victory? Amnesty for themselves! That was their number one demand. What else did they win? Promises from Bob Kerrey—who is not resigning!—to really urge other people to consider possibly doing something about the things the kids are interested in.

Now for some true journalism: I happened to be walking down 14th street at 2:30 a.m. last night and stumbled on the scene of the occupation! I heard the chanting. I asked one girl what was going on. "I have no idea," she said. So I went to one of the police officers and asked if kids were still in the building. "I really don't know," he shrugged. "I'm just standing out here."

Many more cops were standing out there, at the door, on the street, and around the corner, looking bored. Students were chanting. I took some cell phone pictures (which won't work now, unfortunately, because they are Ansel Adams-like) and left about ten minutes later, with a newfound sympathy for cops, and their boring jobs, and the people they must deal with.

But! The students, as patently ridiculous as they are, were a bit inspiring too. The siege ended not too long after I left. But there were 50 or more kids out there, dancing foolishly, chanting foolishly, and hollering foolish slogans, which ultimately came to naught, just because they believed they could accomplish something. Which is more than you can say for most of us.

Now everybody go get laid!

"For safety and security reasons, I have decided to cancel The New
School's University Student Senate Forum scheduled for tonight, December
18 at 8:00 p.m.

Bob Kerrey
President"

You're a war hero, Kerrey! Man up! Ominously, the student occupiers of the faculty building report:

Real Time: 4:57
Things are heating up again! But we will continue to hold our position! We will NOT give in now.

I smell tear gas!

At 9:45, the activist blogger-in-chief reported that "The Administration has capitulated to our demands. The Police have backed off and Seurity has begin to let people back into the building." They've followed up with this, laying out their reasonable demands:

Open Letter/Communique
From within the occupied New School in Exile, 65 5th Avenue, New York City:

We have been in occupation of the Graduate Faculty building of the New School University since 8pm Wednesday the 17th of December. More than 100 of us have taken over a student building, including our only library, which the administration has marked for demolition without creating any equivalent new space on campus. We have opened the building as a student-run autonomous space, in protest against the administration of President Bob Kerrey who recently received a vote of no confidence from the majority of faculty in this school. Details of our multiple grievances against Kerrey, his vice-President Jim Murtha, and treasurer of the board of trustees Robert Millard are laid out in our first communiqué. This morning we have an update on our situation. At around noon today New School security moved to block our access to the fire exits, preventing us from allowing in our fellow students of the Inter-University Consortium to whom they had refused access to the building in a violation of the Consortium agreement. When they failed to remove us, the NYPD were sent in to violently evict us from the fire exit and one of our fellow students was arrested. The police entered the building at the same time as President Kerrey arrived and offered to speak with us, we responded by refusing to negotiate with him and repeating our demand that he immediately resign. He left and took his police with him. At the moment our security has returned and our numbers have doubled, but we expect future incursions on our space and encourage all who support us to come to the Graduate Building at 65 5th Avenue and 14th street.

Signed,
The New School in Exile

Damn Kerrey and bourgeoisie "negotiations"! I trust you are all rushing to join them in their just and lawful occupation. Please send videos, slouches. [New School In Exile, Previously]

Well apparently this is the second day of the OCCUPATION of the New School by students who are mad about the school's president, Bob Kerrey, who everybody (except Bob Kerrey!) wants to step down. But just this morning the cops came in and now it's madness! Let's track some of the BREAKING NEWS ALERTS from this blog, ON THE INSIDE:

8:02 a.m.

We are still standing strong, but Security has started to take some extreme action.

In front of NY Times and Democracy Now reporters a large security guard has assaulted one of our memebers. She is shaken up with no major injuries and the ruckus is continuing!!!!!

8:04 a.m.

Tension is high!!!!
Security has begun to reach beyond their mandate of protecting and have harmed one of our comrades!

And the Photojournalist from the New York Times who has stayed with us all night and all day had her camera grabbed ad thrown to the ground!

8:56 a.m.

We Must Hold
Mr. Kerrey has retreated into the Swayduck and now the NYPD has begun to indiscriminately grab people and drag them out of the university. They have been using unnecessary force!

And from there, communication dramatically CUTS OFF. What is your status, over? Is Mr. Kerry still IN THE SWAYDUCK? Student activists, please send messages here, including, please, some video of this "unnecessary force." We're interested in what that term means to New School kids.

Solidaridad!

Facebook: Pooja Sabhnani
Newsday: Jury Votes To Take MuttonTown 'Slave' House

We almost feel bad for their PR interns, making follow-up calls on this one.

Full release — all 600 words of it, none of which address why they felt compelled to add "A University" as a subtitle (to avoid confusion with "The New School: A Musical" or "The New School 3: With a Vengeance," perhaps?) — after the jump.

NEWS RELEASE
For Release August 3, 2005

EIGHT SCHOOLS, ONE UNIVERSITY NEW SCHOOL REVITALIZES IDENTITY AND CHANGES ITS NAME

(New York, NY - August 3, 2005) Today, New School University announced that the New York State Board of Regents has approved its new name: The New School. This change is part of a broader effort by the university to more clearly communicate its mission. The initiative also includes officially changing the names of its eight schools to underscore their connection to the university, and the introduction of a new graphic identity.

"The New School is a multi-disciplinary institution, founded nearly a century ago as a bastion of intellectual and artistic freedom where education is seen as a tool to produce positive changes in society," said New School President Bob Kerrey. "The name change and new identity reflect and announce an ongoing, comprehensive renaissance, in the works for the past several years. From the very beginning in 1919, when we were established as The New School for Social Research, the public simply referred to us as The New School. It has been and continues to be the name that best captures who we are. It invokes our heritage as well as reinforces our reputation for innovation."

Prior to the name change, The New School undertook an intensive, two-year study to gauge the public's perception of the university. The findings of this extensive research support this initiative.

The New School is comprised of eight schools, each unique and highly regarded in its own right, and each further strengthened by being grounded in a focused university structure. This is reflected in the new names of the individual schools:
- The New School for General Studies (formerly The New School)
- The New School for Social Research (formerly Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science
- Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy (formerly Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy)
- Parsons The New School for Design (formerly Parsons School of Design)
- Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts (formerly Eugene Lang College)
- Mannes College The New School for Music (formerly Mannes College of Music)
- The New School for Drama (formerly Actors Studio Drama School)
- The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (formerly Jazz & Contemporary Music Program)

"The different schools share a common set of goals that defines the university, yet at the same time each has a distinct voice," said Kerrey. "Linking the name of each school with the name of the university, without losing the individual identity, reflects this important dynamic."

The names come with a new graphic identity, which is vibrant, kinetic, dynamic, and untraditional, developed by leading brand consultancy Siegel & Gale. There is no one school color as with most universities. Instead the palette is a bold statement of bright reds, oranges, and yellows. In addition, the logo is not fixed, but rather it has multiple states to exemplify a school that is active and alive. Evidence of the new design will be seen starting this summer.

For more information on the two-year study, and to see examples of the new identity, please visit: www.identity.newschool.edu.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Located in the heart of New York's Greenwich Village, The New School is a center of academic excellence where intellectual and artistic freedoms thrive. The 8,800 matriculated students and 15,000 continuing education students who attend the university's eight schools enjoy a disciplined education supported by small class sizes, superior resources, and renowned working faculty who practice what they teach. Artists, scholars, and students from all walks of life attend its diverse programs and can earn everything from program certificates to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. When The New School was founded in 1919, its mission was to create a place where global peace and justice were more than theoretical ideals. Today, The New School continues that mission, and endeavors to foster worthy and just citizens of the world. For more information about the university, please visit www.newschool.edu.

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