Helicopters?

I overheard, not from any official, that there was some kind of threat made to the Atlantic Center. I see that the subway is still stopping there, so I am dubious, but tons of helicopters, so something is going on.

The Nets? Don't worry, the NYPD has been sent over to break all of the player's legs.

There was a pretty heavy police presence at flatbush and 8th outside the m&t bank at 8pm, not sure if related. 20+ police officers, 5 squad cars blocking 8th, a corrections van.

Relations between the police and the public (especially members of the oppressed classes and their sympathizers) have always been tense, and seem to come a head every 20 years.

From a US perspective, it seems natural. Routine.

The more things change, the more they stay same.

It is hard for me to imagine the things being discussed (body cameras, grand jury reform, racial diversity in the police force, etc) will result in anything more than tweaks.

Makes for easy media though: http://7online.com/news/demonstrators-marching-in-manhattan-to-protest-police-violence/658999/

I felt that just the threatening sound of those hovering helicopters was inherently racist. 

Likely corresponds to it being Earth Day.

By making themself sick by swimming the canal, they are likely to bring attention to how bad we are to the earth.

...and end up really sick.

Just because I avoid walking near that canal in the summer as a result of the stench, doesn't mean that others shouldn't swim in it.

To each his own.