Line Grows for Convention Protest Permits (GOP convention crashers alert)

Yahoo! News ^ | May 1, 2004 | TOM HAYS

[El Conservador]

NEW YORK - A growing list of potential protesters — including abortion-rights supporters, anti-war activists and even off-duty police officers — wants permission to hold demonstrations during the Republican National Convention, police officials said Friday.

About 17 organizations have contacted the NYPD so far about permits that would allow them to legally march and rally outside the convention at Madison Square Garden and at other sites around Manhattan. More are expected to apply before a June 15 deadline.

Authorities say the applications could overlap and conflict in demands for times and space. One request by an anti-war group has been denied already because the estimated draw — 250,000 people — was deemed too large.

The list of organizers includes NARAL Pro-choice America, the New York City AIDS (news - web sites) Housing Network, the environmental group Time's Up, the Green Party and the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org.

"We want to accommodate peaceful demonstrations, while making certain the convention delegates can conduct their business," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said in statement.

A coalition of unions representing police officers and firefighters also has said it will request permits to demonstrate during the four-day convention, beginning Aug. 30. Union members claim they are underpaid and underfunded for fighting terrorism.

[El Conservador]

One request by an anti-war group has been denied already because the estimated draw — 250,000 people — was deemed too large.

250000??? Wow, talk about making a statement.

Not even the convention itself will draw such a crowd!!!

[cyborg]

Errrrr.... I have visions of Weather Underground Riot Part 2. I think I'll stay right here on the Island.

[Dallas59]

The more Kerry slips in the polls the more damage these people will want to do....

[Tamzee]

What would happen if several conservative and Republican groups put in for demonstration permits, also? Could we compete for some of the permits and hold areas rallying for the convention?

[cyborg]

heh... I see water canons and beanbag shooters splitting up the opposing protestors *LOL*

[pepsionice]

Considering the fact that Ossama will likely target the New York convention...there will likely be a lot of dead protestors if his vehicle bombs are placed outside of the center. I'd hate to see alot of dead liberals on the streets of New York...it'd really bring a tear or two to my eye.

[Tamzee]

Nahhhh.... we could make sure the protestors never came close. Squirt guns filled with soapy water should scare 'em but good ;-)

[Tamzee]

I don't think I'd like to see dead ones... a chemical bomb that gave them all permanent laryngitis would be a beautiful thing, though ;-)

[cyborg]

http://www.hasbro.com/supersoaker/
A freeper must come prepared... think I'll get by the guardsmen in Penn Station? :D

[Tamzee]

Sure... we just fill them with Lysol and show the guardsmen that we are there to help polish the Big Apple.... and de-worm it.

[cyborg]

Lysol would be appropriate. Lord know what creepy crawlies would be jumping off the great unwashed riffraff.

[Jack Black]

I predicted a long time ago that we will see something very similar to Chicago 1968 in New York this fall. This campaign is an attempt to turn the clock back to the high point of the liberal assault on the Republican party. The recent 9/11 commission is an attempt to revive Watergate. Kerry is a war protester. Howard Dean is back with a book called "Worse than Nixon".

The culmination of all this must be "Chicago '68 II".

[K1avg]

I've been living under a rock for a bit. Is there a FReeper or Protest Warrior counter-protest already organized?

[cyborg]

Well I sure hope it doesn't come down to that.