(October 4, 2004) — During the week of Aug 30, my sister and I made a jolly old trip down to the Big Apple where we enjoyed many of the sights and sounds New York has to offer. That week also just happened to coincide with the awesomely patriotic patriot-fest known as the Republican National Convention. Did I try to not get involved in the entire hubbub? Yes. Did I Succeed? No. Approximately five square blocks surrounding Madison Square Garden were sectioned off for the entire length of the week, with a healthy bevy of NYPD in every nook and cranny of the city. Walking around in a tourist-like fashion earned me many extra glances of suspicion, and my stuffed backpack and camera probably did not help. Anyway, one night in Times Square, I noticed an extremely large crowd gathered behind police lines, pickets in hand. I just wanted to get to the subway station, but somehow I managed to get put in the “protestor” area the cops had cordoned off. I was trapped. “Mr. Officer, I just need to-” “I don’t care where you need to be,” screamed Officer Daniels. After about ten minutes, the corner of my eye caught the crowd dispersing quickly as a young male, no older than myself, was pinned to the ground by the NYPD. Members of the independent press seem to come out of nowhere to scream, “What’s your name sir?! What’s your name sir?!” Just as he began to say his name, the officers who had him pinned jerked him harder into the cold concrete. I pulled out my camera and managed to take one blurred shot. That is, until, Officer Daniels took out his nightstick. He jabbed me with it on my side and used his body to block the camera. The whole incident was over in a few moments as the “juvenile delinquent” was taken away and I managed to get back to the subway. The more I think about that day, the more the term “police state” comes to mind. Protesters all around the entire city were not allowed to congregate; they were forced out the square due to “security reasons.” While I do admit that there were some unruly protestors who tried to cause havoc, the actions a few should not inhibit others’ First Amendment right to assemble peaceably.