[Newspoetry] NYPD

[William Gillespie]

To: wefta at prairienet.org
Subject: WBAI Reporter Errol Maitland Beaten By NY Cops

Errol Maitland is also a producer for Democracy Now!  I sat next to him
while recording the teach-in at the WTO meeting in Seattle.  One might say
that those NY cops are way out of control.
-Peter

>Date:        03/26  8:58 AM
>Received:    03/26  3:59 PM
>From:        Eileen Sutton, eileensutton at earthlink.net
>Reply-To:    freepacifica at recordist.com
>To:          nyfreemedia at tao.ca
>
>UPDATE:
>
>WBAI reporter Errol Maitland is in Kings County Hospital, in the 
>cardiac unit (he was complaining of chest pains).  I spoke with 
>producer Sally O'Brian today, who will also be anchoring the local 
>cast on WBAI tonight at 6:00 P.M, 99.5 FM (Jose Santiago may be on 
>the air as well, covering Errol's story).
>
>According to Sally, Errol was on the air live yesterday with WBAI's 
>program Radio Free Eireann, reporting on the unchecked brutality of 
>the police during yesterday's funeral march for Dorismond.  During 
>Errol's report, a high-ranking police officer instructed another 
>officer to, in effect, take Errol down, which they did.  They roughed 
>him up pretty badly and arrested him.  CBS News 88 wanted to cover 
>Errol's story, and is said to be waiting to get the tape from Radio 
>Free Eireann.  It appears that at least part of Errol's arrest went 
>out over the airwaves.
>
>Sally went to see Errol at King's County but couldn't get in.  Amy 
>Goodman showed up and worked her magic (rumor has it she begged and 
>grabbed the leg of the officer...we'll never know)...but she was able 
>to see him.  Valerie Van Isler, WBAI's general manager, is reported 
>to have gone to the hospital as well to see Errol, and she then paid 
>a visit to a precinct.  Attorney Michael Warren will be representing 
>Errol at his arraignment.
>
>The mayor was quoted in the corporate press last night as praising 
>the restraint of the officers.  Which restrained officers the mayor 
>was referring to will remain another great mystery.
>
>Errol's voice mail at the station is (212) 209-2819.  Sharan Harper 
>at Wake-Up Call may have updates.  That number is: (212) 209-2815. If 
>anyone would like to send a card, the station address is:  WBAI, 120 
>Wall St., New York, 10005.
>
>The local cast at 6:00 today will have more information.  If anyone 
>has any press contacts, please notify them ASAP.  This story deserves 
>attention.
>
>Eileen