Students Manhandled and Thrown out of Convention Center During Mayoral Control Debate

watch the video: http://blip.tv/file/3386010 <!--break--> Rochester, NY— After serving a free “People's Breakfast” outside of the convention center from 7:30am-8:45am (an alternative to the Rochester Business Journal's so-called “Power Breakfast” inside, which cost $45) 6-7 students entered the Rochester Riverside Convention Center to join the mayoral control discussion happening inside. Unfortunately, the students were met with intense physical force. When students were denied entry, they respectfully asked to speak to the manager. Within fifteen seconds, four security guards denied the students access to the manager and began to threaten to arrest people while forcefully grabbing, manhandling, and pushing people out of the convention center. In addition to attacking students, one security guard went after a reporter from the Rochester Independent Media Center who was on scene and filming the incident. All security guards refused to identify themselves and/or speak about their actions. When Richard Adamson, the events manager, came outside to speak with the students he claimed that he couldn't speak for the building or the event. He claimed the students needed to speak to an unspecified spokesperson for the city. Nobody at the convention center was willing to be accountable to discuss why people couldn't be on the public property. So instead of explaining their policy, the events manager ordered immediate and excessive use of force. A number of students and community members served a People's Breakfast outside the convention center and were interested in joining the mayoral control discussion inside because people shouldn't be excluded from Mayor Duffy's first forum on mayoral control on the basis of money. Although this forum was officially open to the public, it was economically restrictive and at 8:30am-10:00am on a weekday--scheduled at a time when even district students and parents who can afford the breakfast are unable to attend. As we have previously stated, Rochester Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) believes the mayor's dialogue with students and parents on mayoral control has been woefully inadequate. Rochester SDS continues to call for open student-run forums where students can inform and engage the mayor on their needs and the topic of mayoral control. For more information contact: Ryan Acuff (585) 455-0961 Tim Adams (585) 739-0376 Watch the video: http://blip.tv/file/3386010

<p>watch the video: <a href="http://blip.tv/file/3386010">http://blip.tv/file/3386010</a></p> <!--break--><p>Rochester, NY— After serving a free “People's Breakfast” outside of the convention center from 7:30am-8:45am (an alternative to the Rochester Business Journal's so-called “Power Breakfast” inside, which cost $45) 6-7 students entered the Rochester Riverside Convention Center to join the mayoral control discussion happening inside. Unfortunately, the students were met with intense physical force. </p> <p>When students were denied entry, they respectfully asked to speak to the manager. Within fifteen seconds, four security guards denied the students access to the manager and began to threaten to arrest people while forcefully grabbing, manhandling, and pushing people out of the convention center. In addition to attacking students, one security guard went after a reporter from the Rochester Independent Media Center who was on scene and filming the incident. All security guards refused to identify themselves and/or speak about their actions. When Richard Adamson, the events manager, came outside to speak with the students he claimed that he couldn't speak for the building or the event. He claimed the students needed to speak to an unspecified spokesperson for the city. Nobody at the convention center was willing to be accountable to discuss why people couldn't be on the public property. So instead of explaining their policy, the events manager ordered immediate and excessive use of force.</p> <p>A number of students and community members served a People's Breakfast outside the convention center and were interested in joining the mayoral control discussion inside because people shouldn't be excluded from Mayor Duffy's first forum on mayoral control on the basis of money. Although this forum was officially open to the public, it was economically restrictive and at 8:30am-10:00am on a weekday--scheduled at a time when even district students and parents who can afford the breakfast are unable to attend. </p> <p>As we have previously stated, Rochester Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) believes the mayor's dialogue with students and parents on mayoral control has been woefully inadequate. Rochester SDS continues to call for open student-run forums where students can inform and engage the mayor on their needs and the topic of mayoral control.</p> <p>For more information contact:<br /> Ryan Acuff (585) 455-0961<br /> Tim Adams (585) 739-0376</p> <p>Watch the video: <a href="http://blip.tv/file/3386010">http://blip.tv/file/3386010</a></p>