Call Senators Clinton, Schumer/Ask why a PERMITTED rally was disbanned.

[shance]

This is a huge violation of the most basic of Democratic rights.

Please call.

on edit: Capitol number [phone]

[Sanity Claws]

1. Are you sure there was a permit?

I thought the problem was the lack of a permit.

[Mairead]

3. Since there were apparently no issues of disruption, no permit should

have been needed.

Unless the Bill Of Rights has been completely cancelled due to fascism.

[Sanity Claws]

5. Actually, speech can be regulated by time, manner, and

place. Its content however cannot be regulated. Permits can be required for gatherings.

[Mairead]

8. That's not what the First says: "shall not be infringed"

There are a few limitations that would be supported by all but fools and psychopaths ('fire in a crowded theater') but the BOR is very clear about disallowing infringement...and limiting the conditions under which speech can be exercised is damnsure an infringement!

[Sanity Claws]

11. I'm referring to a long line of Supreme Court cases

It's settled law that the government may regulate time, manner, and place regarding speech.

[Mairead]

14. And what does that tell you about the value of the BOR?

I know what it tells me.

[caligirl]

2. any other details? where? when? Who was protesting what?

[shance]

4. Here is more information.

LATEST UPDATE FROM NEW YORK.

The New York City Police Department forcibly broke up this afternoon's rally for Cindy Sheehan, moving in as Cindy was speaking at about 3 p.m. in Union Square.

Keywords: Government, War & Peace, Local, Activism,

The New York City Police Department forcibly broke up this afternoon's rally for Cindy Sheehan, moving in as Cindy was speaking at about 3 p.m. in Union Square. The rally had been underway for about an hour, and was about to conclude as Cindy spoke following several other speakers, including a few who are traveling with her on her caravan.

As Cindy was speaking, a large platoon of police massed behind from the interior of the park, then formed a circle behind her, the speakers' area and a few dozen people who were deployed in an arc behind her. Overall, about 200 people were in attendance, with the crowd steadily increasing in size as the rally progressed. As the police formed their arc just behind, the men and women immediately behind Cindy linked arms. A captain made a cutting motion at his throat, signalling he wanted no more free speech. He waited about 30 seconds, then the police moved in. They didn't dare arrest Cindy, but they immediately moved in and grabbed zool, the event's organizer and one of the main organizers of Camp Casey-NYC, pulling him away and arresting him. I do not believe anyone else was arrested; at least I didn't see any other arrests. I was nearby, and there was no hesitation on the part of the police in specifically targetting zool.

The police also took the microphone and sound system. The crowd shouted "Shame! Shame!" at the police and asked what they were so afrraid of, but made no response. There was a moderate press presence, even a bit of corporate media there, although the only television crew covering the rally was RTV from Russia.

No warning of any kind was given, and this was a permitted rally.

Other than the captain making his cut motion, 30 seconds before forcibly breaking up the rally, there was no warning, verbal or in any other fashion. The police had massed perhaps three or four minutes before moving in. Until then, the rally had gone smoothly, starting just after 2 p.m. as scheduled. Cindy and the rest of the caravan arrived sometime after 2:30; the rest of the rally was comprised of speakers from the caravan. Many groups were in attendence besides Camp Casey-NYC, including Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, the Troops Out Now Coalition, the No Police State Coalition and the Green Party, among others.

As several people confronted the police in the minutes following the arrest of zool and the stealing of the sound equipment, a woman from the caravan said they had done more than 100 events in 51 cities, and nothing like this had ever happened to them. There is no free speech in Crawford, Texas -- Camp Casey has been under attack there -- and there is no free speech in New York City. The police have attacked Camp Casey-NYC on at least two previous Mondays, have taken the camps's tents, confiscated banners and made arrests. This is merely the latest example of Bloomberg's contempt for opinions that challenge the authorities, particularly Republican Party authorities. And where are our supposed policital leaders? Nothing but silence.


http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/57261.html


another link
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/19/154239/638

[oasis]

7. This kind of "Blue Fascism" was happening in American cities in the '60s

The police are attempting to provoke violence. They could then justify limiting future rally permits.

[oasis]

9. Cops provoke violence in NY and then DC cops cancel Sept. 24

activities citing "public safety". Coordinated "Blue Fascism".

[roguevalley]

6. I jut called both of them and neither office had heard. They are

very nice girls on the phone. call and make them tell both of them. they said they would. this is unacceptable.

[shance]

10. Thanks RV** still trying to get through to Clinton's office.

Appreciate your posting.

[caligirl]

12. Got through to clintons NY office, they have gotten several calls.

I mentioned concern for police aggressiveness, and concern that this may be intentional to create problems for the Sept 24 rally in DC by Mayor Bloomberg for Bush.

[shance]

13. Thanks for the feedback CG***great points you raised btw.

n/t