It is not an exaggeration to recognize this as an expansion of the surveillance state. Today it’s a Knicks watch party. Tomorrow it’s another event, another security concern, another reason to register before gathering in public. Rights become privileges when access to public space depends on identification, registration, and approval.
Contra
@NYCMayor's cheery tweet, the NYPD just announced it will bar fans from congregating around Madison Square Garden tomorrow, freezing several blocks, like they did for Trump's game 3 visit.
The Knicks watch party mentioned below will be limited to 1,000 tickets.