Deadlock over protest permits for Republican Party convention

[AmyStrange]

Deadlock over protest permits for Republican Party convention

FROM: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040615/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_convention&cid=1506&ncid=1963&sid=96378801
NEW YORK (AFP) - A loose amalgam of anti-war and civil rights groups accused the New York authorities of seeking to derail their plans for protests during the upcoming Republican Party convention in the city.

"The bottom line is that the city is throwing out the red carpet to welcome the Republican convention ... but has done nothing in terms of issuing protest permits so that we can exercise our right to free speech," said Leslie Cagan, national coordinator of United for Peace and Justice (UPJ).

Numerous pressure groups say their requests for permits to hold demonstrations coinciding with the six-day convention at the end of August, have been turned down or ignored by the city's police and parks' department.

"In order to move our planning ahead, we need to secure these permits," Cagan said.

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[lanparty]

1. The perfect storm ...

These guys should know that they are just getting New Yorkers all riled up. They're effectively saying that the island of Manhatten belongs to the Republicans for an entire week.

The will end up with riots on their hand. New York 2004, will end up looking like Chicago in '68!!!!!

[lanparty]

2. BTW ...

I hope that the police and fire departments voice their displeasure with the Bush admin by going on strike that week!!!!!!