Buttoned Down

The New York Times reports on the Bloomberg administration's plan to keep political protest peaceful during the upcoming weeks:

Law-abiding protesters will be given buttons that bear a fetching rendition of the Statue of Liberty holding a sign that reads, "peaceful political activists." Protesters can present the buttons at places like the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Sex, the Pokémon Center store and such restaurants as Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too and Applebee's to save some cash during their stay...

In announcing the program, Mr. Bloomberg was joined yesterday by former Mayors Edward I. Koch and David N. Dinkins. While Mr. Dinkins said that he might have handled the request to protest in Central Park "differently," Mr. Koch said he agreed with the Bloomberg administration's plan to keep the largest protest off the Great Lawn. That decision has angered many New Yorkers, particularly those who have ambivalent feelings about the convention, which Mr. Bloomberg has repeatedly said will be an economic boon for the city.

Among more veteran protesters, the city's offer had a certain appeal. "Since we're both guests, New York City should treat us equally," said Aron Kay, who is also known locally as the Mad Yippie Pie Thrower. Mr. Kay is the organizer of a protest planned for outside Mayor Bloomberg's townhouse on the Upper East Side on Aug 22.

"Maybe we would like to eat in a restaurant or catch a play," he mused. Before or after haranguing the mayor? "I would say after," he said.

Being moderately industrious, I also came across links via Tom Burka and Electablog to a "card" which offers the same discounts. As I'll be in and around the City next week, I'll see what I can do to take advantage of the deals being offered ($5 discount on admission to the Museum of Sex, for instance).

Fortunately or unfortunately, I won't be around long enough to be at the march planned for August 29th. But I'll at least be able to check out the security setup--and enjoy about a week in the capital of the empire. It seems like NYC is becoming an annual trip these days, which suits me just fine.

If I can make it there...