police make concessions on "pens" at NYC protest

[G_j]

from CODEPINK:

POLICE MAKE CONCESSIONS ON PENS The police and mayor's offices have been inundated with calls and faxes urging the police to not use their barricades to pen people in. Today we learned that the police have made important changes in their plans: While they will still use the barricades, we believe they will not be as oppressive as in previous protests. For instance, we will now be able to use the whole width of Madison Ave., and the sides of the pens will have some openings in order to make it easier for people to come and go. We still are opposed to the use of pens at this, or any, demonstration and we hope that these modifications in their use and our ongoing work to end the use of pens, will lead to further changes in the future.

[handywork]

1. Anyone know

What time the NYC protest starts?

[G_j]

2. from unitedforpeace.org

>This permitted march and rally will begin at noon on Saturday, March 20. Assemble on Madison Avenue stretching north from 23rd Street

[handywork]

3. cool

Thanks

[Drifter]

4. 12/18/2000

That's when it started.
You know when it Ends.

Cheers
Drifter

[Dancing_Dave]

5. Just tear the fascist pens apart!!!

Are you New Yorkers mice or men? Tear the d_mn fascist pens apart! According to the Constitution, this WHOLE COUNTRY IS A FREE SPEACH ZONE!! Defend what it really means by any means necesary!

[Simeon Salus]

6. The pens are made of metal pipe, and do not tear easily.

As one of the tens of thousands of protestors planning to attend the rally in NYC today, I reject the thesis that ANY means are acceptable.

That's the logic typically used by our opponents.

We plan to protest, not riot.

[prodigal_green]

7. another NYer

Um, the gates are used to keep the sidewalks clear--people still live and work here and need to get by. It is the same setup used during street fairs and parades.

I was there for the first hour. It was totally packed!