Friday, October 9, 2026

As UN Banned Me From Intl Law Event I Saw Military Leaders and Cases of Wine Enter UNchecked

UN GATE, Sept 25 – On the fourth day of this UN General Assembly High Level week, Inner City Press was invited to enter for an event In Defense of International Law. I went, and tweeted:

I am here at UN with a ticket to attend an event on intetnational law - But UN security says I can't enter - audio on SoundCloud here

UN Security refused to speak with organizer of the event, The Hague Group. Said they should speak with UN Security Planning unit, a "Lorian Dorfu" - or to  UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. [But he doesn't answer my emails.]

I arrived at 47 St and 1st Ave gate with Center for Constitional Rights' Katie Gallagher. She went in: I am still out on 1st Ave. Spoke with Susana Malcorra  too...

UN Security judt waved in a guy who said, " I want to see the straw poll." Then my phone went dead


Later from "Press Island" - Blocked at UN gate despite having invite to event in international human rights - waited at gate 2 hours, phone went dead but I took 8 pages of notes

While at UN's 47th Street gate for 2 hours after being told "You're banned," I watched and took notes on the entrance of military officials with medals on, three cases of wine and four whole pizzas, an African diplomat who greeted me by name

 Two journalists, seeing me blocked at gate, asked "You good?" And rushed past. An international lawyer from CCR who was allowed in asked, UNCA didn't help you? Uh, no

A man stopped and offered me some charge off his phone but it didn't take. I thanked him, continued to wait for International Law help. A large delegation from Papua New Guinea was waived through, amid beeps and auto-voiced "card rejected"s. No matter! They were waived in

People began approaching me with passports splayed open, as if I were a guard. Let em in! SDG Zone hipster, a man with a soccer ball & a program, another who said, "I'm here for the straw poll" for Next SG.

Where do the candidates stand on confirmed ban of Press?   

More / Sept 25 extra on X for Subscribers here and Substack here