I have a trip to Manhattan planned for this weekend but now I'm a little hesitant because of this World Economic Forum. I heard there may be violence. Will I be able to travel in the midtown area without being caught in the middle of an ugly 'peaceful' protest?

I understand this WEF was supposed to be held somewhere else but it was moved to New York to show solidarity or support. Isn't that kind of like giving someone a pit bull for their birthday?

Will there be violence? Who knows? Hopefully not with the show of police force that is expected.

You should know that there are numerous street closings in midtown Manhattan, mainly around the Waldorf and in front of the UN. Here is a link to an article about it:

http://www.ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/index.html?topicintid=1&subtopicintid=1&contentintid=18875

Ascared: Just stay clear of Park and Lexingtion Avenues between 47th and 52nd Streets and should not even be aware of the Forum. If you are driving in or taking a taxi from the airport or using taxi's over the weekend just ask the driver to skirt around the area. Other than that, you shouldn't have any big problem.

Now if you are staying at the Waldorf or in the immediate area, you may want to re-think your plans.

It's probably even safer than normal. Just stay away from the area near the Waldorf and UN.

Hi Ascared,
if it's safe ?
I dont know - nobody knows I guess.
But it will be as safe or unsafe it was before or after it and during of course.
Why - demonstrants normally choose the
area where the media is, that means close to the congress center.
So why worry - New York/Manhattan is such a big place !
I have no doubt there will be not a single remarable thing during your stay - maybe the traffic jam in late afternoon in certain directions will be a bit longer - thats the main effect for you!
Shain/eu/de/düsseldorf

Hey Ascared:
Come and have fun! Listen to everyone here. I work here and have stayed away from the area and have not had any problems.

Who knows where is safe these days! At least there is plenty of security here.

If you don't want to get caught up in the violence be sure to wear a hood/mask that covers your face and stare at the ground. That way the police will know you are not involved and leave you alone.

x..you're obviously impaired.

1st of all, if the cops can keep themselves in check, there won't BE any violence...this is not a violent group that is demonstrating, and if you knew anything about the cause, you'd know that. A few random nutjobs, sure...but the majority are non-violent.

And to anyone who is unaware of the brilliant mask suggestion, it's just x the fool trying to get people to find themselves arrested...a mask? In post 9/11 hysteria? Do your real initials include a G and a W and a B?? WE don't want anyone doing something so unpatriotic as PROTESTING, do we??

Just walked by the St. Regis the block is filled with limo drivers, detectives and Euro types, more than usual. Also saw a Russian news station doing a report closer to 6th Avenue on 55th.

Spoke to a cop yesterday he said the focus of protection is on companies like Starbucks and McDonalds. If you were by Starbucks at the Sony building this morning you would see a lot of police and detours that kept the public from using what is normally a public access lobby. Well the city is stacked with police, this is NYC I hope the little rug rats understand NY's never play around with this sort of abuse.

I remember the last episode it was Mom and Pop shops in Switzerland that had their windows broken. Makes me mad and demonstrates that these are not political activist but angry youth looking for a vent. Well that was the picture of my morning in NYC.

PSS to anyone that is afraid don't be. You don't think NYC would use this opportunity to show the world that noone can mess with us if anything off color happens. We are ready and for more than just punks from middle class families set on destroying.

*Clapping* for Robert. Great response. I work in Midtown, not too far from the "festivities"... aside from the traffic mess, you wouldn't even know that the WEF was going just a few blocks away. Just stay away from the area and you will be just fine. The weather this weekend is supposed to be quite seasonable and nice. Come and enjoy our great city!!

re:" punks from middle class families"
in Seattle, the "punks" were bussed in from California..but I never did hear their family backgrounds,where did you get your info?
And hopefully, the police here are more capable than Seattle where they herded the protestors into closed off city blocks, then left them, where the few destructive ones went on their rampage..with no cops there at all!
and in Italy, where we have all seen the photos of the Italian cop shooting and killing a young protestor point blank...with no punishment afterwards.
New York Police are really some of the worlds finest,and if there is trouble it will be dealt with well..in recent events, the police have handled things well, why should that change?

Robert, I work in the Sony building. They've closed the public space for the duration of the WEF, leaving the only access to Starbucks through the Sony Style store on Madison. The large police presence is also there to protect the televisions and other electronics in the store and in the windows. There's a demonstration scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today at 54th & 5th.

CNN, News hour with Jim Lehrer reports . The last Swiss clash was largely European. …same sources.

Just avoid the area where demonstrations are scheduled. Basically, if you don't venture any further east than 5th Avenue or maybe Madison between maybe 45th and 55th streets, it's very unlikely that you'll wander into any trouble. And stay away from the UN area. In fact, everything else is probably going to be even safer than usual - there are extra police everywhere, including the areas where no trouble is likely to occur.

xcedrin the cop that told me that was stationed in another area so he was not remarking on your building in particular just something I noticed. What is everyone else seeing?... gotta run.

xcedrin I am across the street from you please come on line if you see anything outlandish. Myself and a coworker are preparing the water balloons.
...just kidding NativeNYer

I work on Lexington in the 40s and have seen nothing today. Not one bit of street theater, no protests, no people wearing giant puppet heads, nothing. Although I have seen more cops than I have ever seen in one place in NY at the same time. If anything, I wonder about the safety of the OTHER parts of NY.

Whoever said the weather would be good this weekend, that's not what I heard = lots of rain, chances of snow, temps in the 30s.

the weather report that I just got was -lots of rain and warmer friday-sat and sunday- sun/clouds and the 30-40's

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