Group Will Cancel Rally if Permit Denied

[Nambe]

Associated Press

.. The anti-war group, United for Peace and Justice, and city lawyers met for a hearing before state Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Silbermann, who is considering whether the expected crowd of 250,000 people can assemble in the park on Sunday for a rally that the city argues would ruin the grass.

The rally, featuring several speakers and an afternoon of programs, would follow a march past Madison Square Garden, the convention site. The march would still take place, the group's leader said in court.

"We are planning to march, but we have come to the conclusion that if we can't have the rally in Central Park, at this stage, we won't have the rally," Leslie Cagan said.

While many activists are planning events without city permits, and thereby risking arrest, United for Peace and Justice has been determined to secure permits for its demonstration in the hopes that more people, including families, would feel comfortable attending.

Regardless of the judge's decision, which is expected Wednesday, large groups of protesters are expected to flock to Central Park on Sunday — partly in defiance of the permit standoff with city officials, but also because the ongoing battle has caused confusion about the plans for the demonstration.

Ride Don’t Drive * * It’s Global Cool

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. They are being smart

Now when the Repuke moles try to start something, they can't say they are doing it in UPJ's name.

[TheDebbieDee]

5. WWWWWWOOOOOOOooooooowwwwww...........

You think like a repub. Keep letting us know what the deal is!!!!

[Kikosexy2]

2. No matter...

what NYC do us proud and PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!! We pray for your safety and we are behind you 100%--West Coast Demmies for Kerry/Edwards--Los Angeles, Calif.

[Just Me]

3. When the freedom to speak is sacrificed for a freakin' lawn,...

,...one must acknowledge that both the Constitution and the experiment of democracy is being, at best, challenged.

God Bless the "suppressed" and "oppressed", the "poor" and "sick" who suffer in these times.

[standardClass]

6. I see no problem trashing the grass for a protest

As long as the group sponsoring the protest foots the bill. New Yorkers should not have to pay for the damage.

[patdem]

4. Well then, it won't be a rally...it will be the quite enjoyment of the..

..park to which the judge implied the 'rally' would deny...good thinking on our part!!!!

[Nambe]

7. But it's okay for an Elton John concert.

I guess liberals are heavy footed.