(NYC) denies anti-war group's appeal for Central Park protest

[Newsjock]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/17/politics2026EDT0760.DTL

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York City Parks Department on Monday denied an appeal from an anti-war group that wants to stage a massive demonstration in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

The Parks Department previously denied United for Peace and Justice's application for an Aug. 29 rally for 250,000 people, saying such a crowd was too large and would damage the Great Lawn.

In denying the appeal, the agency said the group had not sufficiently answered those concerns.

... "In the context of this particular event the city seems to be saying that Central Park is now off limits to political rallies," said Chris Dunn, associate legal director at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

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[bluestateguy]

1. Oh! A permit. Isn't that cute?

When 500,000 protestors show up let's see who gives in.

[AlCzervik]

4. Permit! We dont no stinking permit!

The protest will go on.

[maddezmom]

2. Hope "The Boss " is planning his concert for Central Park

bet they won't stop that?!?! :)

[Just Me]

3. Frankly, protesting around the media buildings was a great idea,...

,...offered by a poster. Of course, this is another example of belting free speech that we can sling at the goliath. But, we can certainly come up with something potently attention-getting.

We are very creative, innovative, brilliant, passionate human beings.

:bounce:

[fearnobush]

5. Give the Park or give up the city: NYC you decide?

Earth day 1990, 1 Million people "trampled on the Grass.

[proud patriot]

6. Denying permits is what caused the violence in Chicago many years ago

Stupid of NY to do this .

[saigon68]

8. Its time to give them a visit

They can't jail everyone. I wonder if the mayor of NY is as dumb as Daley was in 68, maybe blood wil flow in the streets.

[SoDesuKa]

9. Massive Arrests

The days of the convention are bound to be ugly. Bloomberg is showing himself to be a loyal Republican, not the Democrat manqué he is said to be. In February 2003, the police grossly underestimated the crowd that showed up to protest the war, but the bitter cold kept tempers from boiling over. This won't be the case in September.

[roach23]

13. I wouldn't put it past them

to find a way to charge the people with a felony so they can't vote.

[kysrsoze]

10. You're right. This may turn out to be a huge mess. It's going to get

lots of press. Screw 'em if they want to deny our freedom of speech rights. I'm sure it will go on anyway.

[CharlesGroce]

7. assembly

is a constitutional right. Protestors should have some copies on hand to show the police.

[FlemingsGhost]

11. If a million folks "spontaneously" showed up @ Cent. Park...

What could they do? :shrug:

"Funny thing, officer... came for a picnic, and all these folks were here. Busy day, I guess."

[pop goes the weasel]

12. so stupid

the protest is already in motion. NYC can either prepare for it and have the cooperation of protestors, or stick their heads in the ground until too late and end up with policing nightmare.