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.
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