NY Protester Dangles From Rope Off Major NYC Commuter Bridge for 3 Hours
- Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:10pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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A man protesting a local New York county government has been spotted dangling from the Tappan Zee Bridge, a major NYC commuter bridge. After nearly three hours the man fell from the suspension which had been lowered close to the water. He was apprehended by authorities as he attempted to swim away.
The bridge hovers above the Hudson River connecting Rockland and Westchester County near New York City. The protester was hanging from the bridge over the river suspended by a rope ladder and holding a blue banner which read “Rockland Executive Legislative Coverup Retaliation” and other messages that were unclear. The protester was apparently tied to a car parked on the bridge. The LoHud.com writes that the sign is possibly expressing anger toward County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
WABC-TV has had live (albeit intermittent) video of the ongoing incident.
Four boats are below the protester and two helicopters appear to be flying above as police are arriving at the scene to talk to the demonstrator. Traffic has been backed up along the New York state Thruway for miles through Rockland County.
CBS New York reports that the incident apparently began shortly before 11:00a.m.
A spokesman for the Rockland County executive, C. Scott Vanderhoef, tells NBC New York “we don’t know who he is… we hope he comes down and tells the county executive or the legislature what is of concern to him.”
The local Nyack-Piermont Patch alleges some detailed information on the protester:
“The man hanging off the Tappan Zee Bridge is Michael Davitt, a Rockland County resident who has appeared at several county council meetings alleging that he had wrongfully lost his job with the county, according to Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik.
Davitt, of West Haverstraw, has for the past several years conducted one-man protests in front of the Rockland County Office Building in New City and has repeated spoken before sessions of the Rockland County Legislature. Kralik described Davitt‘s comments to the Legislature as ’somewhat threatening‘ and related to the loss of his job at the county’s health complex in Pomona.”
Protester Hangs From Tappan Zee Bridge: MyFoxNY.com
The LoHud.com writes that a captain from the Rockland Sheriff’s Department says the man is Michael Davitt of Garnerville, who is “known as a gadfly who protests at Rockland Legislature meetings.” According to the LoHud, Davitt worked as a substance abuse counselor and had left the county in 2008.
Davitt has frequently displayed odd behavior at meetings, and “There was a concern by the Legislature and they requested the deputy because they felt threatened by him.”
Davitt has carried signs up and down the sidewalk in front of the Allison Parris County Office Building, including one that read “Indict Vanderhoef.”
C. Scott Vanderhoef has been the County Executive of Rockland County, New York, since 1994. In 2006 he was the Republican and Conservative Party nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
CBS News reports that shortly before 2 p.m., authorities managed to lower the rope ladder down toward a boat waiting below, where Davitt jumped in the water a few feet from the surface. He tried to swim away, but was picked up by a Yonkers Police boat.
Rockland County spokesman Ron Levine confirmed to the AP that the man is a former employee with the county’s department of mental health, who was let go because he was unable to perform his duties. Levine said the man had applied for disability payments and had been approved.
“This is bizarre,” Levine said. “This is a very strange way of making a point.”
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Comments (204)
hi
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:38pmI can barely make out the sign, I think it says, “We are stupid, bomb us next.”
Report Post »microace
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:44pmNope I think it says, I’m stupid please shoot me and put me out of my misery.
Report Post »kink
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:45pmgreat solution!!!!!! they really are a bunch of morons!!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:47pmIf i was lucky enough to be there , i would piss on his head …
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:47pmyes… please destroy these idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:50pmListen, they may be the Stalinist and Marxist “useful idiots” as this demonstration from the bridge does show in abundance, yet the hyper media of the left is giving them the attention they want and the distraction Obama needs.
Watch for more to happen.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:52pmJust another thread that gives the Christian Conservatives a chance to weigh in.
Report Post »BlackAce41
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:52pmDon‘t helicopter’s fly under that bridge?
Report Post »chazman
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:55pm… if he was fired from his job with the county, then I guess we now know why! THE GUY IS A NUTBALL! Just cut the rope and be done with it!
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:56pmDammit…where’s my pocket knife.
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:57pm“Come and see the violence inherrent in the system! Help! Help! I’m being repressed!”
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:00pmThe “intelligence” of BHO’s pawns is ever amusing. Too dum to know they are being played and used ad nauseam. Union issues yesterday! OWS issues today! Some Other issue tomorrow! The lemming wagon rumbles by and they all jump aboard without an original thought among them.
BHO’s never been president. He only moved his community-riot-organizer office to the White House and is using the presidency as his cover.
Report Post »mils
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:06pmleave him alone…cut off his way down though…then walk away…
Remember…“stupid is as stupid does”….
please allow him to give his life for the cause…
Report Post »spotcoon
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:14pmWhere’s Ron Popeil when you really need him?
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:16pmI think his sign REALLY says, “Tisofa, look what your rejection made me do!! Will you marry me now??”
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:27pmCut the rope!!!
Report Post »Morris
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:32pmLeave the DUMB SH– Hang there for a few days!
Report Post »These Protesters Should be PROTESTING AT 1600 PENNA. AVE.
How much is Dictator Obama,Soros and The Union Boss Trumka paying this IDIOT?
May262001
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:34pmNice!!! I was going suggest cut the rope….
Report Post »nuttyvet
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:35pmI might not agree with it but he’s got balls!
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 2:00pmA Idiot who can do harm to himself gets police helicopters and boats,the Commies of OWS are raping,Vandalizing,burning, and using illegal drugs and get free pass……
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 2:09pmWhy would anyone go HELP this fool?? Please let his rope
Report Post »break. I wonder how many of the people sitting in traffic will
approve of them now??
AzDebi
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 4:39pmWatched the pics on another site…turns out it wasn’t a “rope”…it was a “ladder”…he could have climbed back up at any time…STUPID! Hope he gets fined!
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 5:35pm“Just another thread that gives the Christian Conservatives a chance to weigh in.” – Tifosa
_____________________________
Uh huh. And you too, apparently, Tifosa.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 5:59pmThis doesn’t look very well planned out, rungs a little far apart,
you can get down, but not up, HUH ?? can’t fix stupid !!
Didn’t know you could get Money from the Gov. for being a
Report Post »NutJob..Guess you can make a lot of $$$$ if you know to
work the System, He must of learned how while working
for The Health Dept. Not so Dumb after all………..
wrs840
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:21pmHey! Hey! Ho! Ho! …GRAV-ah-TEE has got to go!
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:39pmThere was a guy from OWS here in Santa Rosa Ca that climbed a 40 foot metal structure Saturday morning and it was so cold he got stuck and could not make it down. It was hilarious. Everyone was reminded of the scene from a Christmas Story. The sad part was that the Fire Dept had to save him.
Report Post »clockwatcher
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:40pmThe sign says the black jimmy carter gone in 363 days.
Report Post »Quagmir
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 4:19amwhy doesnt anyone know how to tie a proper noose anymore. this man has failed.
Report Post »cece959
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:37pmI’d leave his stupid a** hanging. He got himself into this mess protesting government; let’s see this Mensa candidate get out of this mess by himself.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:51pmMensa rejected his application. The rejection letter said something about it being filled out in crayon…..
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:51pmThe wise shall understand, the wicked shall not. They’ve gottem themselves this far, let them fall.
Report Post »cece959
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:06pmGood one!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 1:51pmAcually i take my post back, if i was lucky enough to be there i would piss on Tifosa’s head….. Correction complete.
Report Post »trappedinwv
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:36pmExcellent, now to tell all those people who are stuck in traffic, that will burn up expensive gas, and miss work just why they are stuck on the highway all day long.
Report Post »realamerican1970
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:42pmand think of all the “greenhouse gases” being pumped into the air while they’re sitting there waiting in traffic. them libs should be proud of that. idiots.
Report Post »IronSights
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:55pmWho’s footing the bill for the boats, helicopters, law enforcement an other emergency services? I’m sure not him. I say cut the rope/cable. If he lives, through his but in jail and give him a bill for his escapade. If he doesn’t have the money he can repay the city by cleaning up the garbage piling up from his buddies at OWS. These semi professional protesters are becoming a blight.
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:36pmLet him become fish food.
Report Post »On a serious note, he’s really trying to get attention. His mother must have been too busy for him.
heyjim55
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:35pmHis concern is his allowance and the high cost of pot he wants Government subsidies for both.
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:34pmPS:
I bet daddy Barry Obumbles is so Proud.
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:34pmIf they don’t make him pay the bill then every single time the court makes someone else pay in case that involves makeing someone pay, there should be a lawsuit
Report Post »showmerancher
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:32pmIf the guy is over the water and only endangering himself, send the helicopter, boats and police home and just ignore him. If he falls, he falls; it’s his right.
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:45pmAnd — when his silly little tantrum is over, he can swim to shore.
Don’t enable the little attention junky. It appears he’s making a career out of whining.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:45pmStupid is not illegal.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:32pmA very clear statement about the mental condition of this human feces – OW.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:31pmMaybe it’s a dummy hanging on a rope…. wait, there would be no difference then.
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:31pmJump!!!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:30pmThey say… given Over Population in any Species… at some point… they will go crazy… attempting to reduce their Population Density!
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:30pmThe cost of this stunt should be passed on to this idiot. Why don’t people think before they do things like this?
Report Post »dscheerer
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:37pmThat would require them to have the ability to think…
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:42pmObamazombies don’t pay judgments or bills of any type,no, that’s to be paid by the productive class.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:29pmIs the rope around his neck?
Report Post »Americans4America
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:27pmSeriously.. what can you accomplish hanging from a rope. Maybe he thought he would go bungee jumping?
Report Post »762x51
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:27pmFour boats and two helicopters? What is THAT costing taxpayers. I can solve this problem with a pocket knife in under 1 minute. Fish gotta eat too.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:26pmThey will go through hell and high water to rescue the guy. That is just what first responders do. If so, the authorities should present the guy with the bill. May as well hold him in a psycho ward for a while too. He’s already proven his lack of sanity for participating in the occupation anyway.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 5:16pmYeah, those pesky first responders that they are also protesting against. It’s amazing what kinds of abuse a police officer will endure and still be able to perform their jobs. They should have all lined up along the railing and watched him swing for a good bit first…
Report Post »KINGRUDDY
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:26pmCan you say…..Useful idiots?
Report Post »Wake Up America!!!!
Mike777
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:32pmMy thought also
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:23pmI thought he killed himself.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:30pmSo a government worker lost his do nothing , make work job…. That alone i find hard to believe….. He must have been extra extra worthless……
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:38pmAre judges stationed on board those vessels to rate his landing? I hear the Croatian judge can be a little harsh when it comes to excessive splash upon entry…….
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 3:29pmbio
Report Post »The dirt‘s so thick it won’t come clean,
All around a haze like a smoke screen,
I can’t see you but you see me,
But I might be gone before you count to three.
The waters are totally polluted,
The armies inside my head have feuded,
One side has smothered the other,
The disease it spreads and begins to cover.
biohazard23
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 4:05pmMaggot-infested soul of mine
Has painted me in a corner confined
My vision is blurred no reason or rhyme
Help me escape these walls I climb
:)
Report Post »Rajabear1
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:21pmShoot the ropes and let him fall. Tugboats can fish his butt out, but most likely they will risk the life of a rescuer instead and run the cost up sky high for the tax payers.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:26pmWhat a genius, huh? You suppose he has a PLAN for getting back onto the bridge? Of Course NOT, he figures SOMEONE ELSE will SAVE HIS SORRY BUTT!
Report Post »dscheerer
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:43pm@AZDEBI you’re right, I am sure this dolt, a product of the “me” generation that were never taught accountability for their actions, did not think about getting out of the situation. It’s all about the attention he will get, and like the rest of his pathetic life, expects someone else to get him out of his bad situation.
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:19pmCut the rope!
Report Post »Beckaj
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:18pmThe stunts are getting more and more outlandish. Have you heard about the guy who put his arm in a bucket of concrete?
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:18pmDang, I thought you meant “HANG”.
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:17pmLET GO! Do everyone a frigging favor.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:17pmThey should be able to haul his butt up and arrest him for trespassing, obstructing traffic, and the cost for “rescuing” him.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 12:32pmWouldn’t matter anyway, he’d just find some socialist group to cover his expenses and you know what that means? Using YOUR hard earned tax dollars to pay for it all!
Report Post »