Shameless self promotion - history and pics

[bleedingwhiskey]

That's pretty cool that you've been involved with this! My only knowledge of the Thompson Square Riot in from the Anthony Bourdain : Parts Unknown episode about the Lower East Side, which is mostly about that area in the 70's and 80s. Oddly enough, that was his last episode ever made. He had whole segment in the episode about the Thompson Square Riot. That was pretty wild and scary.

[nightflameauto]

Jumping in to catch up on the whole thread when I have a down-time day. The little I skimmed, sounds like a hell of a series of events that led to this day for you, man.

[I'MAPUNKROCKERDAMNIT]

Interesting read, I never knew about it. I have to imagine Leftover Crack has probably played this festival several times

Yeah man!!! My band played with Left Over Crack a few times and they also play the Park on occasion.
One of my favorite local bands was called, "Crack Sex"... I love bands with the word "Crack" in their name!!!
Crack Sex had a female singer, wearing a miniskirt, would get on all fours and stick her head in the kick drum, with her arse facing the audience... no panties, of course!!!

[I'MAPUNKROCKERDAMNIT]

That's pretty cool that you've been involved with this! My only knowledge of the Thompson Square Riot in from the Anthony Bourdain : Parts Unknown episode about the Lower East Side, which is mostly about that area in the 70's and 80s. Oddly enough, that was his last episode ever made. He had whole segment in the episode about the Thompson Square Riot. That was pretty wild and scary.

Wow! I missed that episode of Parts Unknow... I'll have to watch it on Amazon Prime!!!

Actually, the only thing you had to worry about, during the 80's in the Lower East Side, was an occasional nut off their meds or, a junkie trying to pick your pocket or, steal your shit. Although, I sometimes forget that I'm 6' tall and look a bit tough so, I mean, no one really fucked with me.
It was easy for homeless people to panhandle money. There was one guy who covered himself with tree trimmings, everyone called him "Treeman". Treeman made over $200 a day begging money from passerbys.
Another guy recited poetry and was doing well for a bum!
There were several abandoned buildings and the neighborhood looked super neglected but, everyone was basically cool and minded their own business.
Even the 10 or 12 homeless people, living in the park didn't bother anyone.
It wasn't until Mayor Kotch decided to sell off the area to developers and raise rents (and therefore taxes) that things got ugly.
Once he announced that he was going to get rid of the homeless people in the park, the park filled up with protesters who brought their tents.
The park turned into a tent city with hundreds of people who really weren't homeless. lol

A lot of people are confused about the purpose of the Riot Reunion Shows... they aren't anti-police... they're anti-police-brutality.
I don't blame the Police; I blame the then Mayor Kotch for sending in the riot squat with orders to beat everyone.

[I'MAPUNKROCKERDAMNIT]

Jumping in to catch up on the whole thread when I have a down-time day. The little I skimmed, sounds like a hell of a series of events that led to this day for you, man.

I got a bit wound up with this thread!!!
But, it really was a great day!!!