8/25/2004

A New York Supreme Court Justice rules against United for Peace and Justice's right to rally in Central Park on Sunday: Justice Jacqueline W. Silbermann wrote in her ruling that the protesters' group, United for Peace and Justice, was "guilty of inexcusable and inequitable delay" in bringing its case against the city. The group sued to try to force the city to grant a permit to rally in the park after months of negotiation failed to produce an agreement on where the demonstration could be held. "The Parks Department appropriately applied content-neutral regulations while leaving plaintiff with a reasonable alternate site suitable with ample means of communication," the judge wrote...The national coordinator for United for Peace and Justice, Leslie Cagan, told the court on Tuesday that if the antiwar coalition was not allowed on the grass of the Great Lawn, "then we simply can't have the rally." Ms. Cagan said later that the group still planned to march up Seventh Avenue past the convention site at Madison Square Garden. Despite the two unfavorable rulings, many protesters say they still intend to go to the park, permit or not, and officials are making plans to police them. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said that the authorities wanted people to come to New York and speak their minds, but that some might "get a little bit over the top." Speaking before Justice Silbermann's ruling, Mr. Bloomberg said, "We'll comply with the law, whatever it is, and we expect everybody to comply with the law." Asked if he thought people might be frustrated with the extra security measures, Mr. Bloomberg said, "I think New Yorkers look forward to having extra security in this day and age."

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home