Here in New York, newly released documents have revealed hundreds of protesters arrested during the 2004 Republican National Convention were held up to six times longer than those arrested on other charges. More than 1,800 people were arrested during the four-day convention. They were held an average 32 hours. Those arrested for other offenses were held for five. The New York Civil Liberties Union says the documents reveal a deliberate policy by the New York Police Department to keep protesters off the streets. NYCLU associate legal director Christopher Dunn said: “During the convention, you got to a judge much faster if you were a bank robber than if you were charged with parading without a permit.” The documents also show scores of police officers complained about toxic exposure at the Hudson Pier, where protesters were sent.