Jay Baruchel and Teresa Palmer Spotted on the Set of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” at NYU

Stars Jay Baruchel and Teresa Palmer film at the NYU Law Building on West 4th Street on Thursday, March 19, 2009.  Get the details of the filming of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” at NYU here on Mazza First Hand Source.  Check out the complete photo gallery at Zimbio.

Kimmel Occupation Ends, Students Suspended and Lose Housing, Take Back NYU: “This is Just the Beginning”

The third floor of Kimmel was finally cleared of protesters this afternoon, with officials removing the prominent banners displayed on the balcony.

Eighteen of the NYU students involved in the occupation (the ones who stayed after 1:45 AM) have been informed that they are suspended and prohibited from entering any NYU buildings, including dorms.  Their NYU housing contracts have been terminated – and according to one of the affected students they had 10 minutes to go to their dorms and grab all of their belongings – though they are still responsible for housing payments for the rest of the semester. (Ouch!  Maybe parents will have a protest against children’s wasteful use of their parents’ money!)  The New School students involved are being considered “trespassers.”

Negotiations between protesters and university officials have been minimal, and none of Take Back NYU’s 13 demands has been met.

Despite this, members of Take Back NYU! held a gathering for students and press outside Kimmel following their removal.  They discussed their organization’s continued efforts, including plans to bring their grievences to Mayor Bloomberg at an event on March 5.

CAS Sophomore and protester Emily Stainkamp complained about the administration’s handling of the event, accusing NYU officials of promising full negotiations and then only informing students of their suspensions.  She specifically criticized the Aramark Corporation, which provides food for Kimmel (and to protesters…hello?  They fed you!) for engaging in what she claims is “slave labor.”  She declared that, in light of the organization’s continued efforts and the change they expect from the administration, the Kimmel occupation “is just the beginning.”

LATEST BREAKING NEWS: Police Arrest One Student, NYU Allows Protesters to Remain at Kimmel Overnight

As the 1 A.M. deadline set by police for protesters to leave Kimmel arrived, a substantial crowd gathered in front of the building.  However, both police forces and protesters remained in place as the deadline passed.  Suddenly, however, a group of students pushed up against the barricade, and police used wooden sticks to control the crowd.  A few students are reported to have sustained minor injuries.

Then a group of men masking their faces with scarves arrived, carrying black flags and a banner that read “resist.”  It was unclear if that group was affiliated with Take Back NYU.

Minutes later came shouts from the crowd that an undercover police officer was among them.  A tall man in a long brown coat with a fur hood was suddenly surrounded by a group of angry students.  The man did not respond to accusations that he was an undercover officer.  One student in a blue winter cap pushed himself up against the man in what appeared to be an altercation.  During this tense moment, the crowd fell almost silent as a fight looked imminent.  However, the two men were ultimately separated and no fight occurred.

Finally after 2 AM members of Take Back NYU announced through the megaphone on the balcony that they were continuing negotiations with NYU, and that the university had granted them permission to stay overnight.  They encouraged spectators and supporters to “go home and get some rest,” and to return tomorrow for more protesting.

But according to NYU Local, the night’s action did include one arrest: Alex Deschamps (Steinhardt ‘09),  for striking a police officer after attempting to climb a “No Parking” sign in front of Kimmel.

BREAKING NEWS: Take Back NYU and NYU Begin Negotiations, Police Shut Down West 4th Street and Attempt to Remove Protesters

12:30 AM – NYU has finally agreed to begin negotiations with Take Back NYU, though it refuses to grant protestors amnesty from expulsion.

Protesters continue to occupy the third floor of the Kimmel Center and chant “Whose School?  Our School!” and “This is What Democracy Looks Like!” to the beat of a drum on the balcony.  They are joined by students gathered in a police barricade corral on the street.  A small counter-protest (comprised of students who would prefer to use the student center) develops across the street, complete with signs declaring “Take Back Kimmel!”

Though the police allowed protestors to remain overnight in the building last night, they have announced that they will not be making the same allowance tonight.  Protestors are expected to leave the building by 1 AM; if they refuse, their removal will be facilitated by police force.

Meanwhile, the police have completely shut down West 4th Street between MacDougal and Washington Square East to vehicular traffic.

Take Back NYU: “We Stormed the Castle!”

As of 4:30 P.M. Thursday, Take Back NYU! protesters remain barricaded inside NYU’s Kimmel Center, disrupting dining service operations there for the day.  In addition to placing signs in windows reading “Solidarity with Gaza” and “NYU is Now Occupied,” the 70 protesters communicate with the audience assembled below via periodic chants from the outdoor balcony.

At 2:00 the group’s list of demands was read through a megaphone from the balcony to cheers from the crowd, including the controversial demands that NYU send educational supplies to Gaza and sponsor 13 scholarships there.  Then the protesters led chants declaring “Take back NYU!”, “This is democracy, that is hypocracy!”, and “We stormed the castle!” (Obviously, the Kimmel dining hall is the center of power at New York University.)  Interestingly, one seasoned police officer was even spotted nodding along to the chants (must be nostalgia for his rebellious days in the ’60s).

So far there has been little official response from the university, but campus spokesman John Beckman told CBS News that the demand to disclose faculty salaries – one of the many directed at creating transparency at NYU – is “not a reasonable request.”

The Fallout from Fall Out Boy: Pete Wentz and Company Attempt to Have Concert in NYC, Get in Trouble with Police

The band Fall Out Boy, headed by Pete Wentz of pop/punk/bi-curious but now Mr. Ashlee Simpson fame, and inspired by Bob Dylan’s impromptu ’60s performances in the same location, attempted to stage a secret free concert in Washington Square Park in NYC at 3:30 on Monday.  Fans who had read about the event on Wentz’ blog the night before gathered near Washington Square South.  But just as the band members were about to play, they got in a bit of a scuffle with police, who arrived to inform them that they had not obtained the proper permit and would not be legally allowed to play instruments.  Apparently, however, they were legally allowed sing.  So instead of being carted off to jail (which certainly could have given the increasingly less-relevant band a jolt of publicity), the group  members decided to perform an a cappella sing-along.  Yeah, we know, not quite as dramatic as their planned massive free concert that would have caught NYC by surprise.  But at least they had their fans in mind – and were blessed with record-breaking 65 degree temps on this New York December day.

Photos courtesy of Jessica Rogers

Thousands Rally for Gay Civil Rights and Marriage Equality, and against Proposition 8 in NYC and Nationwide

As part of a nationwide effort organized by Join the Impact and held simultaneously at 1:30 E.S.T. today, thousands gathered at New York’s City Hall to protest gay marriage bans recently enacted in Arizona, California, and Florida, and a ban on adoption for unmarried couples in Arkansas.  Protestors focused on the California’s Proposition 8, which passed with 52% of the vote, contradicting pre-Election Day poll predictions.  The ban “eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry” and marks the first time in history that civil rights have been removed from the constitution by popular vote.  Because California is considered influential in public policy, the impact of Proposition 8 is being felt around the country.

Participants listened to several speakers, displayed rainbow flags and signs reading “Give Love a Chance,” “Gay is the New Black,” “I Am Not a Second-Class Citizen,” “Should We Sit in the Back of the Bus, Too?” and “Homophobia is a Sin,” and chanted phrases such as ”Gay, Straight, Black, White, Marriage is a Civil Right!”  

Though protestors were of course disappointed over these latest setbacks in the struggle for equal rights, many expressed hope that Proposition 8 would be overturned.  Four lawsuits have been filed with the California Supreme Court arguing that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional: on May 15, the Court overturned the previous gay marriage ban, citing that it violated the Equal Protection Clause by denying gay and lesbian people of their fundamental rights.  That clause, as indicated by its name, is intended to protect minority groups from having their civil rights removed by a tyranny of the majority.  The California Supreme Court is expected to address the lawsuits in the near future.

How Much Is That…Fishstick in the Window? Bansky Opens The Village Pet Store

You’ll never think of little Fido the same way.  At least, that’s how British graffiti artist Bansky wants you to feel after witnessing the bizarre collection of oddities at his first New York exhibit, The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill.  If you’re repulsed by the fact that the words “Pet Store” and “Charcoal Grill” are in the same sentence, you should be.  The exhibit features a host of animatronic creatures, including, yes, fishsticks swimming in a fishbowl, a leopard fur jacket perched on a tree branch, a breathing monkey with headphones watching television, chicken nuggets dipping themselves in sauce, a mother security camera feeding her baby camera children, and a rabbit testing cosmetic products on itself.  In case you don’t understand (and hey, we don’t blame you), this is Banksy’s statement against society’s treatment of animals.

The walk-though exhibit (the entire retail space is actually the exhibit) takes approximately ten minutes to view.  It is open to anyone free of charge, but be prepared to wait in line.  And hurry!  It closes permanently Friday, October 31.

The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill

89 Seventh Avenue South

New York, NY

10 A.M. to midnight

Breaking News: Provincetown Playhouse Protesters Gather at NYU

 

 A group of protesters from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has gathered at about noon today in front of the NYU Law Building, at the intersection of MacDougal and West 4th Streets.  With posters and chants declaring, “NYU!  Shame on you!” and “Preserve, Don’t Demolish!”, the group is voicing its opposition to NYU’s plans to convert the culturally significant Provincetown Playhouse (which is now actually used for apartments and offices) to a new law facility.  With almost unanimous support from the Community Board to begin construction, NYU has vowed to preseve some original features (such as theatre seats), and the facade and some interior walls of the building (approximately 6% of the total space).  But the Society for Historic Preservation believes this is not enough, and is pushing for NYU President John Sexton to halt the plans and for the city to landmark the building.

Do you have a solution to this contentious issue?  Please comment and be heard!

Update: By the way, The New York Times and the Washington Square News picked up this story, but not before Mazza First Hand Source did – we were on the frontlines, first on the scene!

Breaking News: Controversy, Conspiracy, and Conflict as Dan Rather Speaks at NYU

 

The panel discussion at the NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute among media all-stars Dan Rather, New York Times Managing Editor Jill Abramson, Associated Press President Tom Curley, and PressThink blogger Jay Rosen proved to be a fascinating and exciting event.  The discussion touched upon the topics of “The First Amendment, the Freedom of the Press, and the Future of Journalism,” and each member of the panel offered a distinct and profound perspective.

That is not to say that there weren’t moments of tension, and even a couple when it got downright ugly.

When the discussion was opened up to questions from the audience, a man - somewhat curiously- ran to the microphone to be first in line.  Well, it turns out he had a motive: he introduced himself as a representative of wearechange.org (warning: beware of extremism), and launched into a series of accusations against Rather.  He began with, “Mr. Rather, on September 11, 2001 you claimed…” and continued confronting Rather about his apparent statement regarding the possibility of bombs in the World Trade Center attacks.  The audience quickly began to murmur, and moderator Gil Klein attempted to interrupt the speaker.  Rather said, “I’m sorry, I don’t hear a question in this.”  Finally the man asked, “Mr. Rather do you believe those statements you said?”  Rather responded that they were not a “belief” he held, but simply an observation he made.  He ended by saying, “I’m not sure how this question relates to the topic of this panel discussion.”  The man was not satisfied, and continued to shout at Rather, even as he was being pushed away from the microphone. 

Dan Rather

The shocked panel and audience had barely recovered when a second man approached the microphone.  He asked the panel about the elusive and controversial Bilderberg Group, again launching into an attack regarding conspiracy theories.  The panel chose to ignore the question, though the man continued to ask more pressingly, declaring, “Whenever I try to talk about it, I get death threats!”  Abramson finally broke the silence, stating that she knew of the group but did not wish to discuss it at the panel.

 

The discussion moved on, with Rosen comparing established mainstream journalists to a “tribe,” and Rather responding, “Had I known we were a tribe, I would have brought my headdress and my wigwam.”  But the analogy proved effective in describing the journey of traditional media “migrating across the river to the promised land” where new media already resides.  Clever.

Interestingly, Rather refuted claims that the newspaper is dying, pointing out that the same argument was made in the advent of radio, and then again in the advent of television.  The newspaper has survived the development of new technology, and so it will survive this time, he argued.  Yet one is still left feeling like newspapers will have to adapt like never before to make it through these latest obstacles.

Though he originally entered the panel seeming like the underdog, Rosen ended up having the last word, offering hope that professional and amateur journalists (pro-am) can someday work together in the media.

Even when the discussion officially concluded, the drama continued: the two infamous conspiracy theorists/question hijackers had brought cameras, and followed the panel members as they headed for the elevators.  They proceeded to harass them and ask them questions regarding their respective conspiracies.  An NYU facility employee suddenly exploded at one of the men, spitting on him and slapping his camera.  Then both men attempted to escape down the emergency exit stairs, before being chased and yelled at by NYU employees.  Meanwhile, Rather and his assistants disappeared into one of the elevators.  Even though the tactless conspiracy theorists kind of deserved it, there’s a good chance that the angry NYU employee will get in trouble for this.

It looks like freedom of speech was certainly the focus of this eventful night!

 

The Battle of Long Island: McCain and Obama Meet for Final Debate Showdown in New York

The original Battle of Long Island - you know, the one you learned about in history class, from way back in that memorable year of 1776 – was the largest battle of the entire Revolutionary War.

History is repeating itself tonight at 8:00 with the largest battle of the War for the White House: the final presidential debate of 2008, held at Hofstra University in Garden City, New York, just outside New York City.  Indeed, much is at stake in this final chance for the candidates to show their stuff – in Obama’s case, to maintain the considerable lead he has over McCain in the polls, and for McCain, to “recharge his candidacy.”

NYU students will be partnering with Current TV and twitter.com for liveblogging during the debate, at locations including Hayden Hall.

 

Maya Angelou to Speak in NYC

 

Best-selling author, educator, poet, playwright, actress, producer, director, and civil rights activist (basically, Renaissance woman extraordinaire) Dr. Maya Angelou will speak at the Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University in Manhattan from 8:30 to 9:30 on Friday, October 10th.  Her speech will focus upon social justice, democracy, and leadership.

Check back later with Mazza First Hand Source and Bohemia! New York for the full report.

“Sarah Palin” Spotted at NYU

“One hot dog for the hokey hockey mom, comin’ right up!”

Watch out, Tina Fey: another Sarah Palin doppelganger is on the loose.

New Yorkers were thrown off  (Ha!  – just when you thought it was impossible to throw off New Yorkers!) Monday when a fake “Sarah Palin” (A.K.A. 29-year-old Kristy Webb of the Upright Citizens Brigade) toured the city, stopping to order food from street vendors and play with pigeons.

The faux-VP nominee made her way through Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and of course, Washington Square Park.  By that time, a small crowd had assembled, and several NYU students spotted her.

Steinhardt freshman Jordan Griffey witnessed the scene from the window of the Faye’s @ The Square Starbucks.  “She had secret service and everything!” 

As it turns out, the imPalinator was hired by the Daily News to “see what kind of welcome she would get” in New York.  Sounds like a publicity stunt to me.  Talk about contriving news!  How wonderful that the Daily News could add some levity to our daily, um, news lives.

But at least it was all in good fun – well, for some people, that is.  As NYU student Matt Hooper explained, “In this park, I don’t think she’ll be very popular.”  Would the real Sarah Palin please stand up – for herself?

Why Aren’t There More Water Fountains at 20 Cooper Square?

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