moneyoutofpolitics mic check grand central station march to pfizer

After government integrity and healthcare activists held a mic check and balloon release inside Grand Central Station, the activists marched to Pfizer headquarters, where they did a speak-out and mocked the Pfizer marketing gimmick called, "Get Old."

NPYD Stop Grand Central NDAA Mic Check

NYPD Silencing Protesters ; Cops Stop Mic Check Regarding NDAA

A protester went to Grand Central Terminal in New York City to inform the public that President Barack Obama and Congress passed the latest Pentagon budget, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (the ''NDAA''), which this year contained a dangerous provision allowing for the indefinite detention of American citizens. The two protesters, who initiated mic checks at Grand Central, have been identified as Lauren Digioia and Zach Kamel. The protesters were arrested by the New York Police Department. It is not yet known if the protesters are being indefinitely detained.

Queer Rising Marriage Equality Protest

5 Activists Arrested Today For Blocking Traffic In Front Of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office In Political Demonstration To Support Marriage Equality

NEW YORK - In a bid to raise political pressure on the passage of a marriage equality law in the state of New York, members of the LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising held a series of coördinated protests in New York City, culminating in the arrest of 5 of the group's members.

A Trio of Actions for Marriage Equality from David Wallace on Vimeo.

In one phase of the protests, balloons were released inside Grand Central Station and floated up to the iconic ceiling. The balloons were attached to a large sign, which called on New Yorkers to put pressure on their government to demand marriage equality, according to a press release issued by Queer Rising.

In another phase of the protests, several activists blocked traffic near the intersection of East 41st Street and Third Avenue during rush hour ; the location was just outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. Once they blocked traffic, the activists unfurled a huge 75-foot banner that read, ''Marriage Equality NOW ! Call Cuomo : "518-474-8390 !!!'' Five members then handcuffed and chained themselves in the middle of the street. The activists, who were arrested, were identified to be : Natasha Dillon (26, lesbian activist); Kevin Donohue (51, gay Jewish activist); Melissa Kleckner (31, straight ally); Ali Lozano (20, lesbian student activist); and Robert Moore (30, gay Mormon activist).

In still yet another phase of today's protests, approximately 10 drag queens from a separate group calling itself Drag Queen Weddings for Equality organised a ''drag wedding'' at Grand Central to publicise the need for marriage equality in New York State. The drag queens then invited commuters to march in solidarity to Gov. Cuomo's office.

''Unwilling to wait any longer for equal rights and protection from the state of New York, Queer Rising is calling on all the New Yorkers to call the governor’s office and voice their support for marriage equality,'' the press release stated.

The Queer New York blog has published the text of the Queer Rising press release.

Die-In at Grand Central Station - End Homophobia and Bullying

LGBT activists gathered at Grand Central Station on Friday night, at 6 p.m., for a Flashmob demonstration called a ''Die-In.'' At the sound of the whistle, activists dropped to the floor in a demonstration of death -- to symbolise the rash of recent bullying, torture, suicides, and murders of LGBT Americans.



Although the demonstration was meant to be peaceful, the Bloomberg administration dispatched teams of NYPD and other security. Cops were seen carrying riot gear, such as plastic hand cuffs, in case they chose to make indiscriminate mass arrests, like they did during the Republican National Convention in 2004.