NewsMine — security — criminalizing-dissent — rnc-new-york-2004 — Viewing Item

New york says protesters cant use park Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/423469|top|08-25-2004::19:08|reuters.html http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/423469|top|08-25-2004::19:08|reuters.html NY Court Says Anti-Bush Protesters Can't Use Park Aug 25, 7:04 PM (ET) By Grant McCool NEW YORK (Reuters) - A judge on Wednesday denied anti-Bush protesters permission to rally in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention, leaving open the question of where possibly hundreds of thousands of demonstrators will go after a march through midtown Manhattan. The decision by New York Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Silbermann is the latest in a running legal battle between the protest group and the city. She sided with city officials, who say they fear the grass on the park's Great Lawn would be damaged and security could not be ensured for the huge crowd. The lawn was restored seven years ago at a cost of $18 million. "We fully recognize the vital importance of First Amendment rights," said Jonathan Pines, lead attorney for the city, in a statement following the ruling. "However, when dealing with an event of this magnitude, the city must balance all relevant factors, including the availability of other demonstration areas and the potential damage to Central Park." Leslie Cagan, national coordinator for organizers United for Peace and Justice, said they would abide by the ruling and not rally in the park but would stage a rally nonetheless after the march, which is estimated to draw 250,000 demonstrators. "We will not end at Madison Square Garden," said Cagan. "We are planning to have a rally some place else. We are talking about a location some distance away from the Garden." The protest group had argued that their constitutional rights of free speech were being violated. The group is a coalition of organizations opposed to the U.S. war in Iraq and Bush administration policies. They noted that the city has given permission to huge events in Central Park such as the Metropolitan Opera and a concert by the Dave Matthews Band sponsored by AOL last year. "We believe the court is wrong and we believe this is actually a violation of our constitutional rights to assemble," Cagan said after the decision was announced. Leveling criticism at Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg, she added: "A Republican mayor hosting a Republican convention has done everything designed to undermine the demonstration against policies of a Republican administration." The group has a permit to march under the banner "The World Says No To The Bush Agenda" on Sunday past Madison Square Garden. Republicans are holding their convention in the famed arena Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 under strict security amid a series of government warnings of a possible terrorist attack to nominate President Bush for a second term in the race against Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry. In a separate case on Monday, a federal judge declined to order the city to issue a permit for a joint civil rights rally in Central Park on Saturday by another anti-war group and an Arab-American organization. (Additional reporting by Christine Kearney)

Acoustic device used in iraq ready for protesters City agrees to settlement for arrest methods { April 16 2005 } Convention detainees describe lockup { September 2 2004 } Fbi accused of intimidating protesters in 2004 { April 29 2006 } Fbi monitored web site for 2004 protests { July 18 2005 } Justice department investigates new york police { May 17 2006 } Lawyers criticize rnc04 arrests { August 31 2004 } Many arrested without charges { September 20 2004 } New york fined for illegal protester detentions New york says protesters cant use park New york sued by protesters over republican NY tout republican convention security Police commander lied about arrests during convention { March 23 2006 } Police hold 1000 on guantanamo on the hudson { September 2 2004 } Rnc protesters held in toxic holding pen { February 8 2007 } Files Listed: 15

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