WTF?

We didn’t witness any problems, but reports are rolling in about police brutality last night on Bedford. From our comments:

Things I witnessed:
- An officer striking the ground with his steel baton in an attempt to intimidate, breaking several glass bottles which sent shards everywhere.
- A photographer was slammed up against a trashcan, shattering his camera.
- A young girl curled in the fetal position was hit three times by an officer with a baton as her protesting boyfriend was dragged away.
- A man carrying his dog was cross-checked from behind by a cop’s baton, causing him to drop his dog.
That said, I saw exactly one bottle thrown. And was into a garbage truck as it drove by.
When I first saw the violence directed at civilians, I called 911 and filed an internal affairs investigation. The detective on the line asked me for badge numbers and I gave him as many as I could.

Let us know what you saw.
UPDATE: From YouTube: “Unfortunately my camera crapped itself and you can only see the edges but 4 cops are beating up some guy for apparently not clearing the road fast enough… you can HEAR whats happening even if you can’t see it.. and there were at least 11 other people filming so there will be other footage. the inexplicable way “Yes we can!” turns into “Yes we can be assholes”

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all photos by ajcranford
Sometime shortly after Barack Obama said his final “yes we can”, my friends and I turned off CNN and left the apartment over Williamsburg’s taco outpost San Loco, where we had watched the Senator from Chicago clinch this historic election. When we ventured out towards the obvious epicenter of Williamsburg celebratory politics – Bedford and North 7th – we ran smack dab into what Texas must’ve been like for every Bush win since 2004. Brooklyn kids fucking totally filled these streets.
Some would call it a riot, but even the cops tonight realized that things were cool. It was the most celebratory street take-over I’ve experienced, sans-broken shit, and up until I left there was no threat of police violence, overturned cars, broken bottles, or anything. I hope I don’t wake up and see that changed. (Ed note: When I left, there was a definite impending police presence that threatened to turn uncomfortable, should the crowd had chosen to stick around…)
The thing is, though, everybody was having a great time. There were the bongo kids, hanging just off the southeast corner of No. 7th and Bedford, with a healthy crowd of improvisers keeping things going. There were the wealthy roofians, perched out on their 50k a foot overhang porch cheering the crowd on. The bodega dudes couldn’t be missed – they sold out on tall-boys shortly after I grabbed my Bud. I spoke with a few screaming people, but in general, our conversations were drowned out by the constant refrain of “Obama! Obama! Obama!”. And who the f*k is gonna mess with that?
It was honestly, a beautiful celebration of democratic finality at the corner of Williamsburg blase (my e’s don’t accent) tonight. When I finally left the party and hit the train for the two stop ride back to Graham, it seemed like the chants came with me. In the Bedford subway, “Obama! Obama! Obama!” echoed around the station walls. At Lorimer, “Obama!, Obama! Obama!”, and at Graham, “Obama! Obama! Obama!”. Things feel freaking awesome. Politics have been rejuvenated and Brooklyn has a new President that’s worth getting behind. Expect this borough to be a staple of his most innovative, supportive demographic. Barack, Brooklyn f’n loves you.
I spoke with one dude, Andrew Perez of Brooklyn, who brought a poster of Cesar to the rally, because he felt Obama “was a Roman who overcame the odds…It’s like history repeated itself tonight.” I think that picture’s in here somewhere, but really Brooklyn, God knows because it’s 3am and Barack just got elected to be our next President and I’m f*cking so excited I can’t contain my emotions – nor my blogging skills! We wish you the best, and look forward to hearing your stories of “The Night That Barack Built”.
Check out some pictures that AJ Cranford took for us, capturing the sheer insanity that our little Williamsburg Times Square wrought.



See more pictures (via AJ Cranford) from the Obama/Williamsburg victory party, after the jump!

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We’re sure you’ve heard, but.

Palin refuses to say who she voted for! Perhaps she did a write-in vote, placing herself at the top of the ticket. Or perhaps she voted for Barr, the most Rapture-ready candidate.
We don’t know what’s more disturbing, Palin’s stupidity or the First Dude’s nasty-ass pubic hair goatee.

Jake Shimabukuro is known as the world’s best ukulele player, which is kind of the best niche distinction I’ve heard in while. He has built a following with his speedy and unique method of playing, that incorporates different styles and genres ‚Äì from jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock. I especially <3 his cover of ‚"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Anyway, Jake is playing tomorrow night at the Blender Theater at Gramercy, and his peeps are giving away a pair of free tickets to whoever replies first – just give a shout to elizabeth@freewilliamsburg.com, with your name and email address.
If you're curious (and in honor of Election Day) here is some footage of Jake playing ‚"The Star-Spangled Banner":

We waited an hour and most of the blue hairs at our polling location, The Swinging Sixties Senior Center, seemed to suffer from dementia, but we were undoubtedly happy to take part in this important election. (Yes, that’s really the name of the community center where we vote.) Christ, could this gut-wrenching, soul-sucking era really almost be over!? We sure hope so. Now, go out and vote. This is what we are hoping to achieve:

[hat tip buzzfeed]

Ferris Bueller (who did not show up in his parade on Friday) has repossessed the body of Matthew Broderick and commanded it to make Barack Obama a Youtube video about “taking the day off”. Clever! I’d make a joke about how Matthew Broderick’s been taking quite a few days off lately, but from the looks of his IMDB page, he’s been busy. It’s all part of an effort to get YOU to help out tomorrow. To find out how, go to BarackObama.com/dayoff.

The Masked Avengers, a comedy duo from Montreal, Quebec, totally prank called Sarah Palin. How this got through that “media filter” she talks about all the time is baffling. I hope it comes with a warranty….