This protest was basically the NYU Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM) to stop the NYU2031 Plan that will destroy this NYU Athletic Center, the skyline, surrounding gardens and trees, and community dog run for a massive complex of skyscrapers called the "Zipper" building stretched across this entire city block. If NYU2031 plan proceeds, this Greenwich Village skyline will look like mid-town Manhattan with increased congestion and only an overhead skyline.
See http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/nyu_athletic_center_mercer for more photos of the area showing what will be lost if NYU goes ahead with this destructive plan.
See http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/laguardia_place_community_garden for more information about the NYU2031 Plan and other park & garden areas that are threatened to be destroyed.