Thomas Hengge, Author at Pavement Pieces https://pavementpieces.com From New York to the Nation Sun, 08 Nov 2020 22:30:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 New York celebrates historic win https://pavementpieces.com/new-york-celebrates-historic-win/ https://pavementpieces.com/new-york-celebrates-historic-win/#respond Sun, 08 Nov 2020 22:30:14 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=24864 Thousands took to the streets all over the five boroughs and across the US to celebrate the news, which came as a huge sigh of relief to millions after a tense week of unrest onset by delayed election results.

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]]> The sounds of cheering, chanting and celebratory car horn honking filled the streets of New York City on Saturday morning following the announcement that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 US Presidential Election.

Thousands took to the streets all over the five boroughs and across the US to celebrate the news, which came as a huge sigh of relief to millions after a tense week of unrest onset by delayed election results.

In Manhattan, Washington Square Park was the site of a massive gathering where, for the first time since April, it felt like New Yorkers were finally able to cut loose.

A young Biden Harris supporter at Washington Square Park, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People celebrate at Washington Square Park, 11/7/2020 Photo by Thomas Hengge

A vendor sells Biden Harris 2020 shirts at Washington Square Park,11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person in a Joe Biden mask at Washington Square Park, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People ride around with noisemakers, following the announcement Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person reacts to seeing thousands gathered at Washington Square Park, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Confetti and glitter covers the ground at Washington Square Park, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Thousands gather at Washington Square Park to celebrate President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 US Presidential Election, 11/7/2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/new-york-celebrates-historic-win/feed/ 0 New Yorkers peacefully protest the grand jury verdict in the Breonna Taylor case https://pavementpieces.com/new-yorkers-peacefully-protest-the-grand-jury-verdict-in-the-breonna-taylor-case/ https://pavementpieces.com/new-yorkers-peacefully-protest-the-grand-jury-verdict-in-the-breonna-taylor-case/#respond Thu, 24 Sep 2020 23:16:50 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=24174 Despite pressure from the public for months following Taylor's shooting, an EMT shot dead as she slept in her bed during a botched warrant execution, all but one officer is being charged—and not for murder.

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]]> Thousands of demonstrators in New York City took to the streets yesterday, marching in peaceful protest following the Kentucky attorney general’s announcement that only one officer involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor will be charged.

Despite pressure from the public for months following Taylor’s shooting, an EMT shot dead as she slept in her bed during a botched warrant execution, all but one officer is being charged—and not for murder.

The charges against Louisville police officer Brett Hankison that killed Taylor are not for the bullets that hit her, but those that missed.

Hankison is being charged with “wanton endangerment” for firing rounds into a neighbors apartment. It is the lowest-level felony issuable, and if found guilty, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.

This is what the streets looked like in New York City.

Protestors gather outside the Plaza Hotel, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Protestors gather at 5th Avenue, 59th Street. September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A vehicle passenger raises their fist in solidarity with demonstrators. September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Police pass outdoor diners during a march for Breonna Taylor, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Protestors pass outdoor diners, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Firefighters of New York Engine Company 33 observe the demonstration from their firehouse, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Demonstrators march down Broadway, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Protestors march over the Williamsburg Bridge, September 23, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/new-yorkers-peacefully-protest-the-grand-jury-verdict-in-the-breonna-taylor-case/feed/ 0 RBG mourned in New York City https://pavementpieces.com/rbg-mourned-in-new-york-city/ https://pavementpieces.com/rbg-mourned-in-new-york-city/#respond Sun, 20 Sep 2020 18:15:23 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=24065 A band played, people danced, chanted, and cheered as others left flowers and pictures of Ginsburg. 

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]]> In Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg home town of New York City yesterday,  hundreds gathered at The New York Supreme Courthouse in Lower Manhattan to honor and celebrate her life. A band played, people danced, chanted, and cheered as others left flowers and pictures of Ginsburg. 

She died of complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer on September 18. 

Ginsburg’s died  43 days from the presidential election. Her passing has sparked a heated battle between Republicans and Democrats over whether or not President Trump should be allowed to select a new supreme court justice, or the selection be made after the election on November 3.

A person places flowers at a memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the New York Supreme Court. September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People hold signs at a vigil for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A child holds an artificial candle at a vigil for Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside the New York Supreme Court, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person looks on at the memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Children play with artificial candles at a vigil for RBG outside the New York Supreme Court. September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person holds a sign in the shape of a gavel at a memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the New York Supreme Court. September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A woman and her daughter outside the memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside the New York Supreme Court, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People comfort one another at a vigil for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, September 19, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/rbg-mourned-in-new-york-city/feed/ 0 Black Lives Matter painted in front of Trump Towers https://pavementpieces.com/black-lives-matter-painted-in-front-of-trump-towers/ https://pavementpieces.com/black-lives-matter-painted-in-front-of-trump-towers/#respond Thu, 09 Jul 2020 20:15:37 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=23631 Among the painters,  the  de Blasio, his wife, and  Rev. Al Sharpton, a prominent voice in the fight against police brutality and systemic oppression.

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]]> After weeks of heated back and forth between Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Donald Trump, the words “Black Lives Matter” have been painted in front of Trump Tower on Manhattan’s famed 5th Avenue.

The president has ferociously advocated against the mural, claiming the Black Lives Matter movement preaches anti-police rhetoric. But his Twitter tantrums proved unsuccessful, and the mural was painted on the very street Trump once claimed he could shoot someone and still get elected.

Among the painters,  the  de Blasio, his wife, and  Rev. Al Sharpton, a prominent voice in the fight against police brutality and systemic oppression.

Volunteers gather in front of Tump Tower to paint a BLM mural, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A worker sets up paint and supplies in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Young volunteers gather to collect paint rollers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Workers lay the stencil for the second half of the BLM mural, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A volunteer helps paint “Black Lives Matter” in front of Tump Tower in Manhattan, July 9, 2020 Photo by Thomas Hengge

Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses volunteers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Al Sharpton and Mayor de Blasio paint in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person livestreams Mayor de Blasio addressing volunteers, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

“Black Lives Matter” painted in front of Trump Tower, July 9, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/black-lives-matter-painted-in-front-of-trump-towers/feed/ 0 Cutting through COVID https://pavementpieces.com/cutting-through-covid/ https://pavementpieces.com/cutting-through-covid/#respond Fri, 26 Jun 2020 14:36:01 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=23333 Some barbers make house calls.

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/cutting-through-covid/feed/ 0 The East Village is open! Well, sort of https://pavementpieces.com/the-east-village-is-open-well-sort-of/ https://pavementpieces.com/the-east-village-is-open-well-sort-of/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:26:37 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=23029 Now that phase one of reopening has commenced, the vice grip of fear Covid-19 had on the city seems almost a thing of the past, at least for the people on East Ninth Street

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]]> This weekend, people flocked to bars on East Ninth Street in the East Village for an impromptu block party that resembled Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

With bars now serving drinks to go, part of the “new normal” people have been referencing since the start of Covid-19 now includes being able to drink on the streets, police not doing anything but asking partiers to move to the sidewalk when nine pm rolled around.

Now that phase one of reopening has commenced, the vice grip of fear Covid-19 had on the city seems almost a thing of the past, at least for the people on East Ninth street over the weekend. Hardly anyone wore a mask, and some even went as far as to harass reporters who were there covering the reopening for wearing one.

People gather outside of Miss Lily’s in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person on a bike make their way through the crowd on East Ninth Street. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People gather and drink outside Bua in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Police arrive to break up the gathering on East Ninth Street. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A police officer talks with a person at the gathering on East Ninth Street. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People make way for a bus to pass through the crowd on East Ninth Street. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/the-east-village-is-open-well-sort-of/feed/ 0 Pepper spray, beatings and arrests was police response to protests https://pavementpieces.com/pepper-spray-beatings-and-arrests-was-police-response-to-protests/ https://pavementpieces.com/pepper-spray-beatings-and-arrests-was-police-response-to-protests/#respond Mon, 15 Jun 2020 14:56:27 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=22997 Using police brutality to shut down protests calling for an end to police brutality left kids as young as 15 and women as old as 45 caught in the crossfire.

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]]> At the George Floyd protests in New York City, when push came to shove, verbal taunting and the throwing of water bottles by demonstrators was met with pepper spray, baton beatings and arrests by police. In other words, excessive force.

Rather than de-escalate, officers fired pepper-spray into crowds as a means of dispersion instead of using it for its purpose, which is to neutralize hostile threats. Unofficial medics on the scene, identifiable by the red tape crosses on their arms, carried baking soda and milk, dousing demonstrators to help ease the burn of the spray. Using police brutality to shut down protests calling for an end to police brutality left kids as young as 15 and women as old as 50 caught in the crossfire.

On the ground, throughout the city, the NYPD’s response to unarmed protestors throwing eggs and other debris quickly went from defensive to offensive, using side streets to flank demonstrators before beating them down indiscriminately.

In addition to the brutish tactics of the police officers on foot, NYPD bicycle officers used their bikes as weapons, bulldozing protestors to the ground before arresting them.

A protestor reacts to the burn of pepper-sprayed after being hit at Barclays Center. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A woman has milk poured into her eyes after being pepper-sprayed at Barclays Center. Photo by Thomas Hengge

An NYPD officer attempts to grab a protestor. Photo by Thomas Hengge

An NYPD bicycle officer charges a protestor with his bike during a clash in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person is arrested after clashing with police in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Field medics aid a man after being pepper-sprayed at Barclays Center. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A woman is aided by a fellow protestor after being pepper-sprayed in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A man is arrested at Union Square. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Police clash with protestors after flanking them in the East Village. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Pete, 15, after being pepper-sprayed by police at Barclays Center. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/pepper-spray-beatings-and-arrests-was-police-response-to-protests/feed/ 0 Silent protests at McCarren Park https://pavementpieces.com/silent-protests-at-mccarren-park/ https://pavementpieces.com/silent-protests-at-mccarren-park/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:17:45 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=22932 Greenpoint, Brooklyn residents hold nightly vigils in support of racial justice.

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/silent-protests-at-mccarren-park/feed/ 0 George Floyd’s brother leads a memorial service in Brooklyn https://pavementpieces.com/george-floyds-brother-leads-a-memorial-service-in-brooklyn/ https://pavementpieces.com/george-floyds-brother-leads-a-memorial-service-in-brooklyn/#respond Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:58:19 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=22787 “I am proud of the protests, but I am not proud of the destruction,” said Floyd.

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]]> Terrence Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, held a memorial service in Brooklyn yesterday, where hundreds gathered to honor the lives of black women and men lost to police brutality.

The gathering at Cadman Plaza Park was also to call upon elected officials, some in attendance, to reassess NYPD policies that discriminate against minority communities.

Among the crowd, members of congress, local officials and Mayor Bill de Blasio, who gingerly took the stage to address the crowd despite an onslaught of boos and taunts.

Trying not to take away from the memorial, and presumably, to sidestep further verbal bombardment, the mayor kept his remarks brief.

Floyd was the last speaker of the day before the demonstrators marched over the Brooklyn Bridge. His remarks also brief, but emphasized a call to end the nightly destruction of businesses that has followed the protests.

“I am proud of the protests, but I am not proud of the destruction,” said Floyd.

People kneel in solidarity at a memorial for George Floyd, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A woman brings flowers to the George Floyd memorial in Brooklyn, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A demonstrator wears their sign at Cadman Plaza Park, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Mayor Bill de Blasio addresses the George Floyd memorial at Cadman Plaza Park, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Demonstrators raise their hands in solidarity at the George Floyd memorial, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A member of Alpha Phi Alpha at the George Floyd memorial, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Terrence Floyd speaks at Cadman Plaza Park, June 4, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

 

 

 

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]]> https://pavementpieces.com/george-floyds-brother-leads-a-memorial-service-in-brooklyn/feed/ 0 City protests ebb and flow from solidarity to a war zone https://pavementpieces.com/city-protests-ebb-and-flow-from-solidarity-to-a-war-zone/ https://pavementpieces.com/city-protests-ebb-and-flow-from-solidarity-to-a-war-zone/#respond Tue, 02 Jun 2020 21:40:42 +0000 https://pavementpieces.com/?p=22711 As day turned to night, peaceful protests turned to looting, a common theme.

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]]> In each day of protest in New York City, there is a constant ebb and flow of escalation and de-escalation on both sides, protestors and police instigating one another until the situation boils over into chaos.

But, for a brief moment yesterday, police and protestors came together in solidarity, a police captain kneeling with demonstrators in remembrance of George Floyd, asking for no further violence or destruction of businesses in return. The protestors agreed in what seemed like a victory in the struggle for peace in the city, but it was short-lived.

As day turned to night, peaceful protests turned to looting, a common theme, starting with the Yankee store on 5th Avenue. It was not long after that chants for justice turned to direct taunts toward officers on the scene. Then, police acting as escorts for the march began to indiscriminately pursue demonstrators, sending the night into a chaotic tailspin.

People watched from their buildings as small fires, smoke and broken glass turned midtown Mahanttan near 57th and 7th into a warzone. As the newly imposed citywide curfew at 11 pm crept up, there were no signs of slowing or stopping by looters and protestors, which only emphasized the NYPD’s loss of control in the city.

A protestor stands in the middle of 5th Avenue, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A masked protestor at the New York Public Library, June 2, 2020. Thomas Hengge

A man looks on as protestors make their way past Grand Central Station, June 2, 2020. Photo Thomas Hengge

Protestors march passed Radio City Music Hall, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

NYPD officers ready to disperse a crowd, June 2, 2020. Photo Thomas Hengge

A protestor clashes with NYPD, June 2, 2020. Photo Thomas Hengge

A police officer hugs a protestor near 57th and 7th, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A protestor confronts an NYPD officer, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person shatters the window at Bluemercury, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

FDNY put out a fire near 57th street and 7th ave, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

People breaking into the Yankee store, June 2, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

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