NYC Protests.
Today, a New York State judge ruled that the “peace†activist organization United for Peace and Justice would not be permitted to demonstrate in New York City’s Central Park. In essence, the judge ruled that the organization pulled a fast one in filing suit at this late date after having previously agreed to hold its protest at an alternate location.
This morning (prior to the court ruling), I heard on the radio the Head of the organization intimate that the some of its claimed 250,000 members might assemble in Central Park even if the face of an adverse court ruling. However, in a newscast after the court issued its decision, I heard someone who purported to speak for the organization state that the organization would not seek to assemble in Central Park.
The United for Peace and Justice website seems to suggest that the organization will comply with the law, when it states:
We are very disappointed in the ruling today, denying our request to rally in Central Park. But make no mistake: Our August 29 protest march is still happening! We have an agreement with the City for a legal, peaceful march past Madison Square Garden, the site of the Republican Convention, and we are negotiating with the New York Police Department for a safe, peaceful, and orderly closure of the day’s events.
However, the part about “negotiating with the New York Police Department for a safe, peaceful, and orderly closure of the day’s events†suggests to me that, after the organization marches past Madison Square Garden, it might well turn in the direction of Central Park, rather than the direction of the West Side Highway, the permitted location. I hope I’m wrong.
A.N.S.W.E.R., another “peace” organization that also lost an earlier federal court battle for access to Central Park, is considerably less circumspect about its intentions.
The spontaneous reaction to the Judge’s decision and the widely publicized response to the Judge ruling from the A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition spokesperson – that “Thousands of people are coming, and many of them intend to be in Central Park, and we believe that it is their right to be in Central Park” (from August 24 NY Times front page story) – has made it as clear as day to the authorities that the denial of permits for the August 28 and 29 demonstrations was a huge miscalculation. Even unnamed police officials are now being quoted in the media that the Mayor and the city made a mistake by denying the permits because the people are likely to assert their free speech rights and descend on Central Park. This is a sign that the powers that be are getting nervous.
I, for one, am nervous, given the track record of A.N.S.W.E.R., an organization that advocates “Counter-Revolution and Resistance in Iraq†(i.e. “Support those who currently are killing American soldiers).
Who knows what these organizations have planned to “disrupt†the convention? Unfortunately for us and possibly even for their members, New York City next week will be a prime target for a terrorist attack. I would much rather have the police, who will be occupied keeping order among the protesters, spend that time looking for people who would happily kill as many Americans as they can and who won’t much give a damn whether the victims are delegates, innocent spectators, or A.N.S.W.E.R members.
Ya know, I heard some spokesman weeks ago – from that United for Peace and Justice group. He claimed they were going to follow the rules – even though he didn’t like that they couldn’t meet in Central Park. Looks like he was talking through his hat – now, as usual they’re gonna try and do what they want anyway. Then scream about repression. Morons.
Comment by Teresa — August 25, 2004 @ 10:47 pm
New York is a zoo. You asked for it, though. Should have gone to LA…
Comment by Jack Bog — August 26, 2004 @ 4:47 am
Los Angeles? Way too close to Hollyweird. All I know is that I will be remaining on this side of the river for the duration.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — August 26, 2004 @ 5:20 am
Have they NO respect for the ENVIRONMENT?
That many people concentrated in that small an area would wreck havoc with the fragile ecology of Central Park!!
They are WRECKERS!!!! LOL Despoilers of Gaia. ;-
)
Comment by Dan Kauffman — August 26, 2004 @ 10:36 pm
I once heard a police officer describe his interview with a foreign speaking, violent criminal as being like striking a cue ball: the more times you hit it, the more English you get out of it.
Let these crazed outsiders knowingly break the law, and send them to the “unguided tour” of Riker’s Island or the Toombs jail. That little bulldog leader of the protesters could make some real, close, new best friends while in Fun City. In the end, they have an absolute right to protest and be heard, but they betray their lack of respect for the law when it does not serve their purpose.
Maybe Margaret Chow, Al Franken, Bill Mahr and other legendary funnymen can get themselves locked up, and can bond with and entertain the muggers, rapists and thieves while in jail.
I bet they will like Al Franken’s curly hair, and snarling,smug,know it all sense of humor. Maybe Bruce Springsteen can come and sing for them. ” A rich man in a poor man’s shirt”
The NYC Police are already in a bad mood for going three years without a contract. Let some dirty troublemaker spit on, or throw something at a hardworking policeman and watch the fireworks start.
Comment by cousin gary — August 27, 2004 @ 9:57 am
I saw a piece on C-Span last night about the protests that have already taken place. As of yesterday there had already been 19 arrests. There were 4 total at the DNC. Hmmmm….personally, I think that speaks volumes.
I also saw a bit of a piece that the NYCLU did for a training class on your rights as a demonstrater. Oh My Goodness. Color me blind, but I had no idea how that organization worked. Geez. If you could have hear the attorney for that local branch speak, every time she said the word “cops” the venom just oozed.
It’s not gonna be pretty. I’m glad I’m down here watching on the old tube!
Comment by Tammi — August 27, 2004 @ 12:59 pm
I am hoping for the best, but I expect the worst. I too will be watching it on the tube. NYC is not on my travel plans this weekend or next week.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — August 27, 2004 @ 2:43 pm