We Are Marching -- Permit or No Permit- Spread The Word!

[Jcrowley]

We Are Marching -- Permit or No Permit

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, President Bush will be speaking at the United Nations as part of an election-year public-relations push on his disastrous Iraq War.

The New York City Police Department has refused to grant a permit to United for Peace and Justice to march anywhere near the United Nations. Based on feedback from our member groups and supporters, we have come to a decision: We are marching anyway. Permit or no permit, we will stand up against this immoral war and for our right to dissent.

While the Bush Administration has pursued its belligerent policy of preemptive war abroad, attacking a country that posed no danger to us, our Constitutional rights have been steadily eroded here at home, with peaceful protesters treated as security threats. In New York City, the NYPD and other agencies have systematically declared one location after another off-limits to protest -- no rallies in most of Central Park, no marches on Fifth Avenue, no pickets in Times Square, and so on endlessly.

We know there are serious security issues to consider when the president and other heads of state are in town. But those needs must be balanced against protecting the right to assemble, the right to protest, and the right to dissent. The NYPD said no to every alternative we put on the table and simply refused to give us a permit for a reasonable location for our march next Tuesday.

Enough is enough. We are marching -- marching to demand that the troops come home now, and to assert our right to peaceful protest. Marching without a permit amounts to nonviolent civil disobedience, and those of us who participate in the march on Tuesday will place ourselves at risk of arrest.

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3382

[Warpy]

1. Be careful

They're desperate and they'll get to the pepper spray and baton stage very quickly.

Civil disobedience is the only way, though. Just be aware of the risks.

Remember, when they fight us, we win.

[Blackhatjack]

30. How Many Blocks Is the Free Speech Zone from the UN???

.... Totally obliterates the right to protest and free speech.

[madokie]

37. barricades put up to keep us from our constitutional duty

and It is our constitutional duty to check this illegal cabal. He may not want to do his constitutional duty but we do and must.
wish I could be there with them

[Heywood J]

34. Ah, it's only sensible

that if you're going to go into something like that, take a page from Abbie Hoffman. Protect yourself, bring first aid supplies, have friends ready to pull you out if you're in bad, look for protective gear if you can. No one wants your head cracked like an egg by a baton, so look for helmets if you're going in. Keep your eyes clear of tear and pepper gas - eye damage can last for life, and you only have two. Bring some kind of padded jacket to protect your ribs. Hopefully none of this is necessary, but it's better to be safe and not sorry.

Document your ass off, bring still and video cameras if you can. Remember to palm your memory cards if you get stopped - that's your evidence that you were non-violent and did not resist arrest. Nobody should be able to force you to delete images when the card's not there, or if they break your camera in a struggle. A pocket tape recorder is probably not a bad idea, padded except for around the microphone or socket. A cheapie computer microphone will often plug into the socket on a minicassette recorder and clip to the outside of your clothing for better sound.

Nobody actually at that event wants a confrontation. You don't, and the police officers on the line don't. They have to go home to their families, they have husbands, wives, and children just like anyone else. Remember that, and keep your cool. Many of them probably have the same feeling in their guts that you do about going into this, if there's a confrontation. The only ones who want a fight currently have access to the Oval Office - then they can use you as proof of an "insurrection" or some other tripe to give themselves more power.

Be strong - not violent.

[leveymg]

36. NO HELMETS! That gives an aggressive appearance, like you want a fight.

If you want to fight, don't call it nonviolent civil disobedience.

You're setting yourself up for a Faux News spin that you wanted to start a riot. That's no way to win over Jane Q. Public.

Just save everyone the trouble, and go down to the nearest NYPD precinct house, and call out the Tactical Squad. They will be glad to rumble with you. But, please stay away from the UN if you're going to wear helmets and masks.

[Heywood J]

41. It's not that you want a fight,

but you can't afford to be hit on the head by a police baton or by a Freeper's bat. You don't have to come out wearing the stuff, just have it around if necessary or if things start looking bad. Have it stowed in bags nearby or something.

[leveymg]

42. The appearance of violence is everything.

Read MLK's Letters from the Birmingham Jail and Gandhi on why it's absolutely necessary for nonviolent movements to not appear in any way like they want to provoke violence.

[Heywood J]

43. The "appearance of violence"

is better than the appearance of brain damage or of being dead. Martyrs aside (they're one in a hundred million), you are of no use if you're dead or a vegetable.

I doubt you want to make your family have to feed and clothe you or change your diapers if a baton scrambles your brains.

[FogerRox]

2. Right on Brothers & Sisters

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Hillary Will Be There To Fight For Your Rights!!!

(Just kidding)

[Liberal Dose]

29. I saw the subject line and thought, "Wha???...Delusional???"

Then :ROFL:

[MannyGoldstein]

31. Maybe Chuckie Schumer?

:shrug:

[poverlay]

4. I'm in Phoenix and can't make it, but I'm with you in spirit. Permits are

bull**** anyway. Going without one is exactly what we need to be doing. Let them know that we will not be contained or controlled. This is OUR country!

Blessings and luck go w/you.

[MzNov]

5. WoooHoooo wish I could be there.

Out in the streets. It's time. Please be careful.

:woohoo:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. Once we know a specific start location...

DUers attending should set a specific meeting point for the march.

[OutNow]

7. Please Support Sept. 19 Protest in NY against Bush

The action alert from UFPJ also included:

"Check the UFPJ website ( www.unitedforpeace.org ) for updates on the details for Sept. 19th, including the exact time and location of the rally and the plans for the march. If you are looking for or would like to offer a ride to NYC, please visit our ride board.

And, of course, all of this work takes money. Whether or not you are able to participate in person on Tuesday, you can show your support by making a financial donation today! Make an online contribution on our website, call our office at 212-868-5545 to make a credit card donation over the phone, or send a check or money order to UFPJ, P.O. Box 607, Times Square Station, NY NY 10108."

If you can't attend the march please make a financial contribution. I have a feeling it will be urgently needed.

[Keepontruking]

8. We Are Marching

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ..my son is
there..shouldn't but is...besides that in the 60's we never
listened to their crap about where or when we could or
couldn't march or have sit in's....what happened to
America...........Viet Nam was so different all of America
jumped in and Yelled STOP, NO MORE and it stopped.....Good
luck, AZ is along way from NY I'm there in spirit.Circus Girl

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. Yeah, I've got a really good friend over there.

It's his 2nd extended tour, as he's with the 172nd Stryker from Alaska. He should be done with his 2nd tour right now. Hell, he never even voted for Bush as president.



We've got to get people on the streets, permit or not.

[Zenlitened]

9. Be sure to remain inside the designated Free Speech Zone:

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :yourock: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :applause: :patriot: :patriot:

[Roy]

35. So poignant......

It is very, very sad that your map and simple phrase ("Be sure to remain inside the designated Free Speech Zone") invokes nostalgia of a time gone by. Rather than a proud tradition of a strong and respected country.

[mtnsnake]

11. It's about time that a few brave people like this get things going!

People have to get off their arses and into the streets. This is very good and long overdo. I hope it gains momentum!

[CarlVK]

12. Good!!

There comes a time for civil disobedience and it's FAR overdue here.

[Jcrowley]

13. A Time To Break Silence

"The truth of these words is beyond doubt but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on." -MLK

[Canuckistanian]

14. Be sure to wrap yourself in metal screening

Those UHF microwaves could be an issue.

[mnhtnbb]

15. Good for you! Wish I could be there.

[zeemike]

16. I too wish I could be there even if it meant getting arrested

Or my head bashed in.
But remember the greatest weapon you have is total non violence. And that is difficult to do when the cops start beating on you.
And money is a problem for me now but I will try to send something anyway.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

17. I've set up an *OFFICIAL* DU Check-in Thread in the NY forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=169&topic_id=6663&mesg_id=6663

[Stardust]

18. Don't miss the massive World Can't Wait march on Oct. 5th!

http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2655&Itemid=223

Drive Out The Bush Regime!!!

[lisainmilo]

19. I commend you!

Outstanding...that is what needs to happen...FEET ON THE STREET!
He was just in KC last week and I went to my first protest...

[WhiteTara]

32. good for you!

It is very cathartic, isn't it? Get a bull horn, you can do this without hurting your vocal cords. The power of using one's voice for freedom is thrilling.
BTW welcome to DU lisainmilo :hi:

[Synnical]

20. I'm so bloody weary of permits!

Been to too many protests.

March, PROTEST!

[Selatius]

21. Beware the riot police carrying large batons and tear gas

This could get messy, but it may be necessary to send a message across.

[struggle4progress]

22. We have whatever rights we take and use. And the rights we do not use ..

.. will be taken from us ...

[shadowknows69]

23. I'd love to represent for upstate

if any other Northern New Yorkers are going.

[progressoid]

24. March on!! (and bring video cameras)

[EnviroBat]

25. Hell Yes!

This is the time for action! Video Tape every moment, and protect yourself from the pepper spraying assholes! I'd be there with you if I wasn't all busted up.

[mmonk]

26. Tyranny must be addressed head on without fear.

That's the only way history has shown has worked.

[kiteinthewind]

27. Bless you and be careful in this 'police state' and their 'microwaves'

Wish I could join you for this one.

:yourock:

[Liberal Dose]

28. You already have a permit. It's called the Bill of Rights. Well, it used

to be called the Bill of Rights. It's probably called Charmin now, since so many Repukes have used it to wipe their asses. :hi:

[WhiteTara]

33. Thank you UFPJ

and Leslie Kagan and the entire marshall force who makes this happen. My money is on the way! :woohoo:

[DUyellow]

38. They got the permit...read on

FROM http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

We Won! We're Marching!

In a stunning turn of events, the NYC Police Department has reversed its previous decision to deny us a permit to march near the United Nations on Sept. 19th.

When the NYPD told us there would be no marches in the vicinity of the UN that day, we announced that we would march anyway, even if it meant we went to jail. We have just learned that we are being given a permit for a march and rally that morning to call for an end to the war in Iraq.

Assemble: 9 am at 6th Avenue and 37th Street

March: Begins at 9:30 am
We will march north on 6th Avenue to 47th Street, then east on 47th Street to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza between 2nd and 1st Avenues (across the street from the UN). Bring your signs and banners, your chants and songs. Let's be visible and loud! Please note: We have agreed to march on the sidewalks for this demonstration.

Rally: 11 am to 12 noon at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

Let's make this a large and loud call for an immediate end to the war and occupation in Iraq -- all the troops must be brought home, and brought home now!

[LibraLiz1973]

39. Start a NEW thread saying that the permit has been given

and all the details you just gave- I think alot of people will see that


I know I cant be there but I am more than happy to make up signs etc. or even to help make phone calls?
Let me know

[MzNov]

40. Here's a Raw Story link

Congratulations!!!!

People Power moves forward!

:hi:

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/NYPD_okays_permit_for_antiwar_march_0915.html

:dem: