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Historic Day at U.N. as Obama, Dictators Speak

By Heather Grossmann | September 24, 2009 5:57pm | Updated on September 24, 2009 5:56pm

By Michael Ventura

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

All eyes in Manhattan are on the United Nations in Turtle Bay on Wednesday as President Barack Obama and two of the world's most controversial leaders address the United Nations General Assembly.

Manhattanites also faced another day of road closures and traffic along the East Side, as well as protests in the street.

Obama spoke at 10 a.m. and called foreign dignitaries who had gathered from around the world to help bring about a new era of global engagement.

He called on nations to help curb climate change and to take a more active role in peacekeeping.

"Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone," Obama said.

Protesters gathered at United Nations Plaza Wednesday morning in advance of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's speech to the General Assembly.
Protesters gathered at United Nations Plaza Wednesday morning in advance of Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy's speech to the General Assembly.
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Heather Grossmann / DNAinfo.com

Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy also addressed the General Assembly. Khadafy lauded Obama's stance on curbing nuclear proliferation in Africa, but he condemned the U.S. for the Iraq war and it's involvement in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, outside in Turtle Bay, East Side business owners felt they were left alone to deal with the gridlock traffic and low foot traffic.

"This year the economy is bad. Business is terrible," said Rita Buium who works at Emty's Upscale Boutique at First Avenue and 49th Street. "This makes it worse. It's terrible. People cannot come through. And if they stop, [the NYPD] tells them to move along."

Buium said she's noticed more security this year.  She wished she could get some form of compensation for "sitting here doing nothing.  I'm opening later and closing earlier."

Business was also slow next door at Waldbaum Locksmiths.

"It's always a headache, that's what it is," said Ted, a locksmith who declined to give his last name. "All of us take a hit for this. You can't even stand in the door without [the NYPD] flipping out."

He understands that the cops are just doing their job, but it's tough for local businesses because people aren't coming in, he said.

"When the U.N. Assembly is here, everything drops," he added.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to speak later Wednesday, were the focus of some of the most popular protests.

The Canadian delegation was planning to boycott Ahmadinejad's speech, according to the Ottawa Citizen, saying his denial of the Holocaust and denunciations of Israel were "shameful."

Protesters were already gathering at U.N. Plaza by late morning wearing yellow paper visors that depicted Ahmadinejad with a red line drawn through him that read "Down with the Dictator."

Anti-Ahmadinejad and Khadafy activists were side by side with people who were in favor of their visit.

"History in the Making, America welcome Qadhafi," read the shirts worn by some of them. (Khadafy's Arabic name can be translated into English in various spellings.)

The supporters also chanted and played drums to celebrate the Libyan leader's first visit to the U.S.

Khadafy has had some trouble finding a place to stay during his visit.

Plans to pitch a tent to house Khadafy on an estate in Westchester owned by Donald Trump have drawn threats of legal action from the town, Bedford, if the Libyan camp doesn't pull up its stakes.

"If no activity has been undertaken, so far as either removing the tent or other equipment, or removing any individuals who may be residing in the tent, then we would then proceed to take one of two types of enforcement actions," said attorney Joel Sachs, who represents the town, according to the Associated Press.

 

 

 

 

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives for the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters Wednesday.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives for the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters Wednesday.
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AP Photo/David Karp