Protesters may gather in Central Park despite judge's rejection

[Kadie]

Protesters may gather in Central Park despite judge's rejection

DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, August 26, 2004


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(08-26) 15:00 PDT NEW YORK (AP) --

An anti-war group suggested Thursday that protesters could still gather in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention, despite a judge's ruling that it may not stage a rally there.

The group, United for Peace and Justice, said it would hold a march past Madison Square Garden and ending at Union Square -- then let individuals decide for themselves whether to go to the park.

"To our supporters, we ask that you follow our march to the end and then make your own decision," said Leslie Cagan, the group's national coordinator. "I will be going to Central Park after this march."

On Wednesday, a state judge rejected a bid by the group to force the city to allow a rally in the park on Sunday. City officials have said such a rally, which could draw 250,000 people, could damage lawns in the park.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/08/26/politics1549EDT0631.DTL

[Ducks In A Row]

1. you can't stop people from individually going to the park.

hey, bring a picnic.

[Bok_Tukalo]

2. Recipe for disaster

<eom>

[truthspeaker]

5. ...for Bloomberg

[phantom power]

3. I rather hope they do

I'm worried about whether or not they can keep it peaceful.

But I've really had it up to here with our government trying to tell people where they can and can't exercise their right to peaceful assembly.

[Tamyrlin79]

4. Destroy the Grass

since the grass is highest priority here, why don't the protesters go to the park and destroy it anyway to make a point? If everyone goes and tears up a clod, it'd be a lot more messed up than it would for a protest rally.... :-)

[Book Lover]

10. Please don't destroy the grass

I don't live there anymnore, but it's my hometown. Yell all you want, but don't destroy the Great Lawn, please.

[freetobegay]

6. I hope they do!

I also hope they are heard loud & clear! God bless every last one of them.

[ET Awful]

7. Can anybody say Chicago '68? n/t

[karlrschneider]

8. If you go to CP with a Chimp sign, or NO sign, I guess you're allowed in.

:eyes:

[bobthedrummer]

9. Yes, they can decide for themselves-it's cool...

just to take a walk in the park.

[leftyandproud]

11. I recall reading that the Libertarians are organizing this..

They say the only thing they need to protest is the first ammendment. Though it is an "unofficial" gathering, they are doing a great job with organization, pulling together other antiwar groups to make it a nice crowd.

[ldf]

12. i have every intention of

"taking a walk in the park" after the march.

i will be nice and civil about it, but bloomberg can shove his "you have no right to protest because you may hurt the grass" priorities up his ass.

he may have started out as a democrat (before the election) but he pimped as a republican to get elected and has turned into a full-fledged republican shill, since.

i'm also hoping this will help get his sorry ass thrown out of the mayorship next election. i have a long memory. hopefully others will, too.

[Kinkistyle]

13. Imagine if King was banned from marching on D.C. in 1963

Because of the poor little blades of grass. Oh who will think of the grass. The GRASS. LOL :D

Its called civil disobedience. It is not only our right to demonstrate against Bush, it is our duty.