Anti-war group sues NYC for refusing to allow protest march

By The Associated Press

02.05.03

Printer-friendly page

NEW YORK — An anti-war group sued the city today for denying it a parade permit to march past the United Nations next week.

The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan seeks a declaration from the court that the city’s position violates the First Amendment and for an order permitting a parade of between 50,000 and 100,000 people to take place.

A message left with the city’s law office was not immediately returned.

The plaintiff, United for Peace and Justice, described itself in court papers as a coalition of local and national organizations that oppose a war against Iraq.

It said it planned a large anti-war march and rally for Feb. 15 that would include assembling people near the United Nations, marching past the United Nations and staging a rally away from the United Nations.

It called the march past the United Nations essential because the international organization is responsible for monitoring activity in Iraq, including weapons inspections.

The parade and rally were scheduled to follow the Feb. 14 date on which the next inspections report is due to be forwarded to the U.N.’s Security Council.

Still, the plaintiff said in its court papers that the United Nations was not considered a target of the protest and that the procession past it was expected to be “entirely orderly and peaceful.”

Chris Dunn, a staff attorney for the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the city had refused to permit a parade under any circumstances.

Dunn filed the lawsuit on behalf of United For Peace and Justice.

In court papers, he said the city’s refusal to issue a permit was based on its concerns over congestion and related issues.

Instead, the city offered to allow a stationary rally on First Avenue north of 47th Street, according to the lawsuit.

The court papers noted that the city routinely issues permits for large-scale marches in midtown Manhattan, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Puerto Rican Day parade and the Thanksgiving Day parade.

They also noted that the city has allowed huge marches by gay and lesbian groups and groups urging support of nuclear disarmament.

Update

Federal judge blocks anti-war march near U.N.
Citing 'this time of heightened security,' court finds NYC's need to protect public outweighs protesters' rights to march.  02.11.03