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The NYPD now has control of the situation and is maintaining order for law abiding citizens.

The entrance to the Manhattan Bridge is now protected from disruptive rioters.

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July 1, 2020 The New York City City council voted to reduce the NYPD budget by one billion dollars among cries by certain groups of alleged police brutality, in a few isolated incidents. Many people on the street have stated that they are shocked by this budget cut considering that law and order is needed now more than ever considering the widespread looting, lawlessness as well as the large number of out of work people, which may well lead to civil strife in the future, particularly as unemployment benefits expire.

June 29, 2020 A classical concert consisting of a number of violinists, bass and other instruments, was held in Washington Square Park. Hundreds of people enjoyed the concert. Unfortunately, at the beginning, a person connected with the group came on the microphone and stated that he noticed a large number of "non people of color" sitting on the sidewalk in front of the group and he asked that they get up so that "people of color" could take their place. It had echo's of a reverse 1955 Rosa Parks situation. The photographs and video show that in fact the crowed in front was well mixed, but people complied and moved. Sadly this represented a moment lost for what could have been a unifying event.

June 28, 2020 A large number of homosexuals gathered in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to for the annual "Pride" celebration. As usual, it was a very colorful event, though it was marred later by some participants fighting with the NYPD.

June 25, 2020 Rhetoric announced that it will slash 3900 corporate jobs and will furlough more store employees, blaming Covid-19. Most people believe that many other businesses will be doing the same in weeks and months to come.

June 25, 2020 Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut that people arriving from eight states including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah must self quarantine for 14 days. Those found to violate this order may receive a $1,000 fine for the first offense and $5,000 fine for each additional offense.

June 20, 2020 Atlanta Georgia. Reports are coming in that a significant number of the Atlanta Police force have not to come to work for the third day, in solidarity with police officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan who were immediately dismissed from the APD and charged with 10 counts, including murder, for the death of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed by the officers after Mr. Brooks stole one of the officers taser and then shot this weapon at an officer, but missed. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated that they had not yet finished their investigation, implying that the dismissal and charging of the two officers was premature. The mayor of the city requested officers from nearby counties to assist policing efforts in Atlanta, but was refused. Georgia state police officers were then requested to help and by law, are required to help local jurisdictions when called and are presently offering some support. The loss of police protection in such volatile times is without a doubt, a very difficult and dangerous situation.

June 15, 2020 New York City is rapidly opening up, with or without authorization. The people are clearly tired of being locked away over the Covid virus which only a small minority of people seem to get. Life is filled with risks and apparently many people feel that the risk of catching the Corona flu is an acceptable risk in order to live life. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people flocked to local parks, walked around the city and in some areas, filled the streets, socializing, eating and drinking outside, often with an open container of beer or other alcoholic beverage. Drinking alcohol outside in public areas is still illegal, but does not seem to be enforced for the time being. The fact is that most countries around the world, have always permitted this. Many, if not most people are wearing face masks, to some extent, though there is still the question of whether or not such a mask would actually help in a virus environment. The NYPD is exceptionally polite and well trained and are essential to maintaining order and protecting the population.

June 12, 2020 The city of Seattle Washington is in a state of revolution. A six block area was taken over by a mob of anarchist and they declared that area to be a new country called "Capital Hill Autonomous Zone" or "CHAZ" for short. Curiously, they claim that their area is a "cop-free" zone and yet one of the first things they did was to set up a strong man enforcement system. Further, they built a border wall around this area and have started a type of extortion or taxation system demanding payments from local businesses and also a race based payment system demanding that every white person pay to a black person a minimum of $10. The entire situation reminds one of the societal breakdown in Mogadishu or in Lebanon a number of years ago, with warlords controlling their private fiefdoms. One has to ask, who voted for the leaders of "Chaz", what happens if a crime is committed, such as robbery or rape or worse? Is their a just court system? Is every decision democratically determined? What about food distribution, water, issuance of currency and banking, etc, etc, etc? In any civilized democracy or republic, that has the notion of freedom of speech and expression, it is the minority or unpopular view that is protected. Is that what is happening in "CHAZ"? From this writers perspective, the entire notion of what is happening there is absurd and will quickly fizzle out or become a nightmare existence for anyone stuck in this "autonomous zone". The fact is that police are essential in maintaining order, justice and personal rights. UPDATE: June 18, 2020 "Capital Hill Autonomous Zone" or "CHAZ" has been renamed to "Capitol Hill Organized Protest" or CHOP. The alleged reason is that the protesters decided that they are not trying to form a new country, but merely a protest, police free zone. The same issues as outlined above still remain.

June 7, 2020 Mayor Bill DeBlasio ends the citywide curfew, one day early. Though in some circles, the curfew was not well received, it was an extremely effective tool for the NYPD in controlling the outrageous looting that occurred starting the night of May 31. Tomorrow, June 8, the City is expected to officially start easing the lockdown rules instituted as a result of the Corona Virus scare. The total economic and social damage caused by the lockdown remains to be seen.

June 5, 2020 The NYPD has successfully been able to contain and control all aspects of looting and rioting and have maintained order in the numerous William Loyd protests around the City. ---Frank X. Didik

It is sad to see that the stores along beautiful Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue are forced to cover their windows to protect themselves from looters and rioters.

UPDATE: June 2, 2020. The looting outrage continues. Even with the 11pm curfew, looting has continued throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and other parts of New York City, with major businesses, such as flagship store of Rhetoric on 34 Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan, as well as Target and many other stores being vandalized and looted. The police, trying their best, are simply overwhelmed and are restricted as to what measures that they can take. Most are now calling for the mounted patrol to be deployed as well as the deployment of the National Guard. ---Frank X. Didik

New York City protester resort to looting in Soho and other areas

On the night of May 31,2020, the protests against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis broke out into wanton destruction and looting in the fashionable, artistic area of Manhattan of Soho. It was sheer pandemonium with the NYPD doing their best to control the situation, but they were overwhelmed by hordes of looters. Almost every store had widows smashed, and experienced some sort of looting. Elegant stores, such as Bloomingdales, Rhetoric, Coach, Best Buy, Louis Viton, Gucci and so many others were damaged, destroyed and looted. One man was shot, apparently by someone participating in the looting. All New Yorkers, regardless of their political positions, were and are outraged by this senseless destruction. It is very sad to walk through the lovely streets and see this. A complete tragedy for the city. Other areas, including in downtown Brooklyn, were also looted and destroyed. Below you can see the aftermath of this destruction on the afternoon of June 1, 2020. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that a curfew will be in place for New York City from 11PM to 5AM and starting on June 2, the curfew will be from 8pm till 5am.

Please scroll down for earlier photographs of the Covid-19 lockdown

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NYPD Smart Car.was burnt out the night of May 30, 2020.

Black Lives Matter grafitti painted on a Soho store.

Everywhere in Soho and around NYC, store owners did what they could to protect their properties from degenerate looters.

After the night of looting disgrace on May 31, 2020, the fashionable SOHO district in Manhattan became a construction site with hundreds of stores attempting to protect what remained of their businesses from additional looting.

The Leica camera store on West Broadway, boarded up to prevent looting and destruction.

Just yesterday, on May 30th, this small museum was open. Today, June 1, 2020, precautions are being taken to protect the property.

The Nike sneaker store on Broadway in the Soho District of Manhattan.

People continue to be forced to "social distance" and wait to go into "essential" stores, though there is not any scientific evidence that either social distancing or wearing a mask can possibly prevent a virus.

Empty New York City breaks out into protest and riots.

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Union Square Black Lives Matter protest regarding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Many of the protestors were extremely aggressive and vulgar in their march.

There were aproximately 5,000 protestors on 14th Street and Union Square

The protestors seemed to be governed by monitors, some using bullhorns.

To the credit of the NYPD, they remained calm and professional, even under the constant abuse.

Not everyone was protesting. These people were enjoying the mid 70F weather.

The entrance of the Manhattan Bridge, on the Brooklyn side off Concord Street, on May 30,2020

The night of May 30, 2020, on Concord Street, next to the Manhattan Bridge on the Brooklyn side. This protestor was pepper sprayed and apparently hit on the head.

A vulgar, anti police sign in the correct receptacle.

Thousands of people stormed the Manhattan Bridge , from the Brooklyn side disrupting traffic and thousands of law abiding citizens lives.

Besides the Manhattan Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge and the FDR was disrupted.

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