SEE IT: MTA cops make first arrests related to Eric Garner protests after Grand Central attacks
Marc Train, of Philadelphia, and William Talen, also known as Reverend Billy, were busted after a confrontation, which took place when cops removed placards the protesters had placed.
BY ALFRED NG
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 8:04 AM
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MTA police are now laying down the law with die-ins, making their first protest-related arrests on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
Officers were lenient on arrests during protests in Grand Central after a Staten Island grand jury decided against indicting an NYPD cop for the death of Eric Garner, MTA sources said.
But the protesters crossed a line when they physically engaged two MTA police commanders during a protest at Grand Central, said MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan.
YOUTUBEActivists protesting against police brutality hold placards with the names of some 150 people who they said were 'killed or brutalized' by the police, during a demonstration in Grand Central Terminal on Tuesday.
"We cannot and we will not tolerate attacks on our police," he said.
Now, MTA cops will be actively enforcing against the protests, including rules that prevent people from sitting or lying on the ground.
Protesters have been staging die-in demonstrations at Grand Central routinely, usually lying on the ground for seven minutes.
The confrontation Tuesday occurred after MTA cops removed placards the protesters placed.
YOUTUBEWilliam Talen, also known as Reverend Billy, and Marc Train were arrested at the protest.
"A group laid placards all over the floor of the main concourse and we can't allow that kind of obstruction for our customers," Donovan said.
Officers arrested Marc Train, of Philadelphia, and William Talen, who goes by Reverend Billy, a performance artist and activist.
YOUTUBEA confrontation reportedly took place when MTA cops removed the protester's placards.
They were both charged with disorderly conduct, Donovan said.
Savitri Durkee, an activist and partner of Reverend Billy, said he was peacefully complying with the officers during the confrontation.
YOUTUBETalen and Train were both charged with disorderly conduct, according to an MTA spokesman.
She said the MTA police's decision to prohibit die-ins violates the group's freedom to protest.
"I believe a performative act like a die-in is protected by the First Amendment," she said.
