The NYPD is proposing new regulations that would severely curtail the right to peacefully protest on the streets of New York City. The rules would prevent any group of 35 or more people from gathering without first getting a permit from the police. Presently, you can have a picket line, or a vigil, or a "feeder march" of a relatively small group to join a larger demonstration, anywhere in NYC without a permit if you do not use a sound system and don't block others. All of that will change if the new regulations go into effect.
The new rules would also severely limit the rights of bicyclists. Any group of 2 or more cyclists or pedestrians traveling down a public street, who violate any traffic law, rule or regulation could be arrested for parading without a permit. And every group of 20 or more cyclists must obtain a permit and approved route from the police. Click here to see the full text of the proposed new rules.
These new rules would limit our freedom of speech and discourage people from speaking out. Actions you can take to oppose the proposed rules include:
1. Attend a People's Public Forum on the proposed changes sponsored by a coalition of activist groups from around the city to educate the public about the proposed rule and to get people motivated and outraged about this attack on our civil liberties. Thursday, August 17 at St. Mark's Church (2nd Avenue and 10th St.) at 7 p.m.
2. Testify at the public hearing that the NYPD is holding on Wednesday, August 23rd at 6 pm at One Police Plaza. Send notice of your intent to testify to: Assistant Deputy Commissioner Thomas P. Doepfner New York City Police Department, 1 Police Plaza, Room 1406, New York, NY, 10038
3. Attend the rally on Aug. 23rd outside Police Headquarters the same evening of the hearing.
4. Write Mayor Bloomberg and ask him to withdraw the proposed rule: City Hall/New York, NY 10007 Fax (212) 788-2460 email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
5. Contact your representative on the NY City Council. Ask him/her to testify against the rule at the public hearing and at the People's Public Forum. (Find your councilmember at http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/index.cfm.) In particular, if you live in Peter Valone's district in Queens be sure to contact him - he is the chair of the Public Safety Committee which oversees matters related to the police. Urge his committee to look into this matter.
6. Pass along this information. Make sure everyone knows about the police department's plans and what they can to do help stop this.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the articles posted on this website are distributed for their included information without profit for research and/or educational purposes only. This website has no affiliation whatsoever with the original sources of the articles nor are we sponsored or endorsed by any of the original sources.