If you note the gold colored bollard in the corner, this is the outer perifery of the streets that have been blocked off since 9-11. This area's streets are now cordoned off to control the crowds since the OWS movement. The video in question was likely during a short period where the OWS folks were marching. I have passed this point several times in the last 3 weeks with no issue. Again, likely shot in a very short time period with other stuff going on.