Support the Right to March in New York CityRamsey Clark, Leslie Cagan, Charles Barron, Bill Perkins, Brenda Stokely speak on May Day March. . . Press Conference/Rally to Support the Right to March
Last week, Mayor Bloomberg denied the Troops Out Now Coalition a permit for a May Day march, as part of an ongoing campaign to silence and marginalize the voices of working people and of those opposed to the Bush-Bloomberg policies. The Troops Out Now Coalition has issued an appeal for all progressive and antiwar activists to support the right to march in NYC. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark said, "The Troops Out Now Coalition is seeking a permit to march on May 1, to bring the troops home now, to protect Social Security, provide health care and housing for all, for the rights of immigrants, living wages, strong unions of workers, and the repeal of tax cuts for the rich. These are the critical and emergent issues of this time. The worst possible restrictions against speech and expression are those that silence concern for the great human crises of today and tomorrow. The refusal to issue a permit set a particularly ominous precedent and represents a grave threat to our basic right and obligation to speak out. This is a challenge that must be met." In a statement from United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), National Coordinator Leslie Cagan said, "United for Peace and Justice supports the right to march and rally, everyone's right. We are alarmed by the news that the NYC Police Department has refused to issue a permit for a peaceful march to the Troops Out Now Coalition for their demonstration on Sunday, May 1st. United for Peace and Justice, in partnership with others, is organizing a march and rally on that same day and we have been able to secure the necessary permits for our activities...We call on the Police Commissioner and the Mayor of New York City to make sure the right to march is not curtailed and to take the necessary steps to issue a march permit to the Troops Out Now Coalition." Two years ago, when millions of people all over the world marched against the war, the Mayor refused to allow a march in New York City. During the Republican National Convention, he refused to allow a peaceful rally in Central Park. Throughout the week of the Convention, the Bloomberg Administration and the NYPD engaged in illegal mass arrests and detentions. In prosecuting those arrested, they used perjured testimony and altered videotape to press fabricated charges. Our basic rights--the right to free speech, the right to assemble, the right to express dissenting political views--are under attack. Please join us to defend these rights. Call, fax, or email Mayor Bloomberg and tell him you support the right to march on May Day. Then join us for a Press Conference on the Steps of City Hall on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Please join your voice to the hundreds who have written, called, faxed, & emailed in defense of our right to march. If you are not able to join us at the Press Conference, but would like to help by making a much needed financial contribution you can do so on line at: http://www.troopsoutnow.org/donate.html The Troops Out Now Coalition is asking for everyone who supports the right to Free Speech and Free Assembly, to contact Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD: What you can do:Contact Mayor Bloomberg Phone: (212) 788-3000 Fax: (212) 788-2460 E-Mail: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html Sign the letter to Mayor Bloomberg. Call the NYPD Nicolas Estavillo, Chief of Patrol for NYC Phone: 646-610-6734 Donate to help with expenses Click here to donate. Come out on May Day! http://www.troopsoutnow.org/may1call.html |