Reply #2: Yes and Bolton seems to think "Speakers Corner" is in Central Park [View All]

[KurtNYC]

rather than in Hyde Park, London. Responding to comments by Hugo Chavez, John Bolton said:

Mr Chávez could openly say what he wanted in Central Park, he added: "Too bad President Chávez doesn't extend the same freedom of speech and the press to the people of Venezuela. That's my comment on his speech."

Sadly, he is once again incorrect. The Republican Mayors of NYC, both Giuliani and Bloomberg, routinely deny permit requests for Central Park insisting that political rallies "would hurt the grass." Any gathering of more than 20 people requires a permit. They gave permits to Disney to promote "Pocohontas" and to Christo to promote himself and cash in on Central Park. But they insist that the grass is especially sensitive to free speech.

More accurately Bolton could have said that Chavez could "openly" say what he wanted in a permit-approved, designated free speech zone far away from media and the public.