October 31, 2011
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
260 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10007
Dear Mr. Mayor:
As the elected officials who represent Lower Manhattan, we are writing to you regarding the
“Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) protesters currently encamped at Zuccotti Park. First, we want to
once again express our full support for the protestors’ First Amendment rights to speak and to
assemble in Zuccotti Park. We sympathize with the movement’s message and we feel it is important
that their voices be heard.
At the same time, some of the protesters, and others who have opportunistically joined the
crowd for unrelated reasons, have created serious quality-of-life concerns for residents of the
immediate area. Members of the OWS group have worked with Community Board One to establish
a “Good Neighbor Policy” that addresses these issues. Despite everyone’s best efforts, this policy
has proven difficult to enforce.
Therefore, we are asking that the city enforce laws prohibiting the excessive noise from
drumming, which has disturbed neighbors day and night, as well as those prohibiting public
urination on our streets, buildings and sidewalks. We also ask that the city work with residents and
businesses to remove the excessive number of barricades, which are making movement within this
area extremely difficult and inconvenient. It is important that these quality-of-life concerns are
addressed in an effective and thoughtful manner by the city so that they do not keep recurring.
Once again, we are sympathetic to the message of those who are protesting in Lower
Manhattan. They have contributed positively to the dialogue we are having in this state and this
country over how to address our struggling economy, and it is our responsibility to protect their
First Amendment rights. We are equally committed to protecting the rights of those who live in
Lower Manhattan and who are entitled to go about their daily lives in peace.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Congressman Jerrold Nadler Assemblyman Sheldon Silver
Senator Daniel Squadron Council Member Margaret Chin