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Police Stonewall, Feb 15 Protest Goes On
by United for Peace & Justice
Wednesday 05 February 2003
"We are facing a major fight over our basic democratic right to public protest. At our meeting on February 4 with lawyers for New York City and the NYPD, our request for a march permit was again refused. But plans for the protest are nonetheless moving full speed ahead.
On February 15, hundreds of thousands of people will converge on New York City to stand with millions around the globe against the Bush Administration's plan for war on Iraq. While we are still unable to announce a location for this march and rally, one thing is certain: It is happening. We urge all those who oppose the war crusade to continue mobilizing full speed ahead for February 15. Continue with your plans to come to New York City -- we are confident a permit will come through.
But we are facing a major fight over our basic democratic right to public protest. At our meeting on February 4 with lawyers for New York City and the NYPD, our request for a march permit was again refused. We have asked to assemble near the United Nations, march directly past the U.N., and then continue through Manhattan to a rally at Central Park. We are consulting with our lawyers and will announce our next step late on Wednesday, February 5.
With only 10 days remaining before February 15, the continued stonewalling by the police can only be seen as an active effort to prevent us from voicing our opposition to this war. We will not be silenced -- the streets of New York will be filled with a cry for peace."
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In Defense of a UN Protest
Group Sues to Get Permit
by Patricia Hurtado
Thursday 06 February 2003
A coalition of local and national organizations opposed to a United States invasion of Iraq sued the city yesterday for denying it a permit to march past the United Nations en masse next week.
The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan sought a declaration from the court that the city's action violated the First Amendment and for an order permitting a parade of between 50,000 and 100,000 people. The Feb. 15 event would begin across from the United Nations and proceed to Central Park for a rally.
"When we're in times of crisis, it's all the more important that we zealously safeguard our rights, and there's nothing more basic than the right to march, to protest," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the groups.
The suit is the first of its kind against the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. During the administration of his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani, scores of individuals and groups successfully sued the city in state and federal courts for seeking to abridge their freedom of speech or assembly.
Federal Judge Barbara Jones has scheduled a hearing for tomorrow on the anti-war rally.
Chris Dunn, a lawyer with the New York Civil Liberties Union, said that when the sponsor of the demonstration, United for Peace and Justice, applied for a police permit last month, it was turned down because of concerns cited about "congestion."
In a subsequent meeting, city lawyers told leaders of the group that they would only allow a stationary rally on First Avenue north of 47th Street and an adjacent plaza.
In the federal suit, the group said a march across from the United Nations on First Avenue was an "essential" element of the planned anti-war demonstration, given the UN's role in the ongoing investigation of Iraqi military capabilities and as center-stage for U.S. officials making their case for war.
Dunn said the city allows massive parades in Manhattan, be they for sports teams, ethnic groups or holidays, so an orderly demonstration of similar size should not be a problem for police.
In addition, huge marches have in the past passed the UN, such as a 1994 event marking the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion, and two anti-nuclear rallies, in 1982 and 1988.
Asked about the suit, Bloomberg spokesman Jerry Russo cited a statement from a senior city lawyer, Jeffrey Friedlander, which said:
"The city has tried to work with organizers of the proposed event so they can express their views consistent with the First Amendment, but we will not allow any event to jeopardize public safety or prevent people from going about their business."
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.)
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