Posted by Robert Lederman on January 15, 1998 at 12:33:26:
1/15/98
Dear Editor,
Police State of the City
Watching the Mayors’ State of the City address in handcuffs from the
basement of City Hall while surrounded by cops gave me a real insight
into what Giuliani means when he says, "This is my chance to do all of the
things that I was too timid and restrained to do in the first administration."
I’m one of the “criminals” and “police bashers” he admonished before a
handpicked audience of admirerers enthusiastically clapping and cheering
on cue. My crime? Writing GIULIANI=POLICE STATE with chalk on
the asphalt near the Great Dictator’s armored car. Every day New York
City moves closer to becoming a caricature of a third world totalitarian
state. All that’s needed to complete the picture is torch-lit rallys and a
snappy salute demonstrating our “respect” for police officials.
Robert Lederman
President of A.R.T.I.S.T.
255 13th St
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215
718 369-2111
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1/14/89
For Immediate Release:
A.R.T.I.S.T. (Artist’s Response To Illegal State Tactics) President Robert
Lederman was arrested in front of City Hall today during the Mayor’s
State of the City speech. Lederman had used a piece of chalk to write,
“GIULIANI =POLICE STATE” on the street near Giuliani’s parked white
sports utility vehicle. He was immediately surrounded by police, arrested
and dragged into the basement of City Hall where he watched the Mayor’s
speech on a T.V. monitor while surrounded by police officers. Police
officials immediately washed the chalk off of the street near Giuliani’s
vehicle.
Lederman was held for three hours at the First Precinct and charged with
Defacement of Property. While in custody he was interrogated by three
N.Y.P.D. Intelligence officers and asked if he intended to kill the Mayor.
This is Lederman’s 17th arrest on speech related charges. He has never
been found guilty on any of the charges. The arresting officer is P.O.
Meeks. Arraignment is scheduled for 2/17/98 at 346 Broadway.
For information contact: (718) 369-2111
e-mail ARTISTpres@aol.com
A.R.T.I.S.T. web site http://www.openair.org/alerts/artist/nyc.html
Photos and a tape recording of the incident are available.
First Precinct (212) 334-0611
Mayor Giuliani's press office 212 788-2958
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