NYC Rescinds Proposed Parade Permit Regulations and Cancels Police Hearing

NYC rescinds its new parade permit regulations and cancels August 23 police hearing. Overwhelming support at People's Public Forum last night at St. Mark's Church helped to apply pressure on city to back off.


NYPD Expected To Back Off Strict Protest Permit Requirements
August 18, 2006

The Police Department is expected to back off a controversial proposal that requires demonstrators to get permits just to march on the sidewalk.

Last month, the NYPD proposed regulations requiring groups of 35 or more to get a permit for marching on the sidewalk. In the street, groups larger than 20 would have needed a parade permit.

However, the Police Department said Friday it will revise that proposal because of public criticism. It expects to scrap requirements for pedestrians, but 20 or more people gathering in the street will still need one, as will groups larger than 10, if they violate traffic laws.

The NYPD says it drew up the restrictions because a judge ruled its regulations were too vague.

The department says permits allow police to plan for traffic disruptions in advance. Opponents say the plan goes against the U.S. constitution and hinders freedom of expression.

Police officials say they expect to publish the new permit rules in a few weeks.