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NYC Indymedia: Prisons, Protestors & Sonic Weapons

From NYC Indymedia

The following is a selection of items from the New York City Indymedia news feed of protests underway this evening in New York to coincide with President Bush's nomination acceptance speech.

See… http://nyc.indymedia.org/ for much more including breaking news of tonight's demonstration which according to some reports distracted the President during his speech.

There have been several hundred arrests during the week of protests and according to some reports upwards of 700 people are presently being held in the Pier 57 improvised detention facility pictured below. There is considerable concern among protests about a new sonic weapon that has attended demonstrations, however so far it does not appear to have been used.

– Scoop Co-Editor Alastair Thompson

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Add this to the every-growing list of stories broken by Indymedia first over the last week: We have acquired the first photos from inside Pier 57. Only two are published now; there are more that will be published as soon as possible.

First pictures from inside Pier 57
by anonymous

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Outside of Pier 57
by Shame

Just thought you'd want to see what your temporary home looks like from the outside.

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Pictures of the sonic weapon
by dwai
I was at the march on sunday. I noticed two of these sonic weapons not in use. Attached are just a few still images of the second weapon I saw. So in addition to goggles, vinager soaked rag, and sun glasses you may soon need ear plugs.

Picture of LRAD at Union Sq.
by falconred
Picture taken by me at 8pm on September 2nd, 2004

MORE INFO ON THE SONIC WEAPON
LRAD - Long Range Acoustic Device
by NYPD sux
The device emits an earsplitting mechanical wave in a narrow beam only 33 inches in diameter. The shrill sound is approximately 150 decibels (1000 W/m²) in intensity, a level that is very capable of permanently damaging hearing.

Carl Gruenler, vice president of military and government operations for American Technology Corp., says that being within 100 yards (meters) of the device is extremely painful, but its use should be limited to 300 yards to be effectively used. He concedes that the device is powerful enough to cause permanent auditory damage, but that it is only meant to be used for a few seconds at a time.

The device, which weighs around only 45 pounds, is currently being tested in regions of Baghdad Baghdad. The device was originally intended to be used by American warships to warn incoming vessels of their arrival, but have become another piece of America's weapons intended to deter but not kill. A similar device is the Active Denial System, which uses a painful energy beam to discourage would-be attackers.
See also:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/03/03/sonic.weapon.ap/
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Long%20range%20acoustic%20device

Meanwhile also in Union Square today…

Pictures From Union Square
by Ron Brynaert

This picture was taken by me today on Thursday, September 2, 2004 in Union Square

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See much more here:
http://nyc.indymedia.org/

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