Heckling Republicans during the GOP convention could pay off for protesters - as long as they do it peacefully. Offering more carrot than stick, Mayor Bloomberg announced that protesters who pledge to be nice can get discounts on everything from hotel rooms to zoo tickets.
"We want you to be welcome and to enjoy New York City," said Bloomberg. "You can check into a good hotel and get a great night's sleep.
"It certainly beats sleeping in the park, and nobody's going to wake you up at 1 in the morning and ask you to leave."
About a dozen restaurants also will lower their prices for protesters who wear city-issued buttons declaring they are "peaceful political activists."
"It's no fun to protest on an empty stomach," Bloomberg cracked.
In addition to eating and sleeping cheap, badge-wearing protesters can get a break on a tour of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, see the show "Naked Boys Singing" for $25 and take in a host of other attractions around the city at a cut rate.
The unprecedented approach came after protest groups griped that the city is rolling out the red carpet for convention delegates, while clamping down on planned demonstrations.
Discounts can be seen at www.nycvisit.com, as well as a list of anti-RNC rallies. The Web site also touts a "Take a Republican to Lunch" promotion. It urges demonstrators to "Bring a Republican to discuss issues and dine at participating restaurants and save 10%."
New York Civil Liberties Union head Donna Lieberman scoffed that the freebies don't compare to the ones delegates get through the city's "Come Early, Stay Late" program.
"Now, all the city has to do is provide a free MetroCard and a permit to protest in Central Park, and the activists should feel as welcomed ... as the RNC delegates," Lieberman said.
Former mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, who were with Bloomberg at the announcement, praised the idea as a great way to promote the city's $24 billion tourism industry.
Leonardo Alcivar, a spokesman to the Republican National Convention, said, "If the city believes that it can generate more economic revenue by rewarding those who are peacefully exercising their First Amendment right, then they should go ahead and do it."
