NYPD Continues to Block Journalists from Covering Occupy Protests

The above video, taken by someone at the Occupy protests this morning, shows that despite Police Commissioner Ray Kelly telling the NYPD to let press cover the protests, the cops still aren’t listening.

At about the 2:05 mark, New York Times freelancer Robert Stolarik enters the frame, attempting to take pictures of an arrest in progress. As the event unfolds, the cops form a wall around the officers making the rest, and one cop even moves each way that Stolarik moves, prompting an exasperated Stolarik to say, “Are you really doing this right now?”

Stolarik told The Village Voice that he showed the police his press credentials, but to no avail. “It was clearly visible and he was very aware,” said Stolarik. “That guy clearly didn’t follow the departmental directive from Kelly.”

Sadly this moment is just more of the same from the NYPD. Kelly’s declaration was hollow then, we’re just seeing it on video now.

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