As Convention Nears, Uncertainty Over Protest Location Creates

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/nyregion/23convention.html

As Convention Nears, Uncertainty Over Protest Location Creates Potential for Trouble
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER and DIANE CARDWELL

ith just six days left before the largest planned demonstration of the Republican National Convention, organizers and the city have yet to reach an agreement on how to handle the masses of protesters, setting up the potential for confrontations with the police just as the Republican delegates arrive.

At a moment when city officials and the protest's organizers, United for Peace and Justice, should be polishing the final details over the event next Sunday, they are instead locked in a court battle over the route of the march, which organizers say could draw 250,000 people. The group itself is fractured over how to proceed, and many protesters are vowing to use Central Park despite the vehement opposition of the city, which wants the rally to take place on the West Side Highway.

Adding to the uncertainty are the boiling tensions between Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and officials and members of the police and firefighter unions, many of whom have been trailing him at his public events for weeks demanding a new contract and threatening illegal strikes or other job actions just as the city struggles to deal with the protests and the convention.

The Bloomberg administration and convention officials have dismissed the conflicts as irrelevant to the success of the convention. Both the city and organizers of Sunday's protest say they hope to come to terms before the demonstration.<snip>


From the New York City Parks Department and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce- permits issued for demonstrations, mainly at Eighth Avenue and 31st Street, near Madison Square Garden.

Saturday

1 Christian Defense Coalition, prayer vigil.

2 Planned Parenthood of New York City, march across Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall Park, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3 Green Party, rally, noon to 6 p.m.

4 American Friends Service Committee, memorial display.

Sunday

5 United for Peace and Justice, march and rally, noon. The group is suing to hold its rally in Central Park.

6 Code Pink-Women for Peace, rally, 8 a.m. to noon.

7 Christian Defense Coalition, demonstration, 2 to 4 p.m.

8 Not in Our Name, rally.

9 Peaceful Tomorrows, anti-war exhibit.

Monday, Aug. 30

10 Disabled American Veterans, rally, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

11 New York City AIDS Housing Network and Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, march and rally from Union Square to main demonstration area, noon to 6 p.m.

12 Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, rally near the United Nations.

Tuesday, Aug. 31

13 New York Metro Area Postal Union, 2 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

14 New York City Central Labor Council, rally, 4 to 7 p.m.

15 “The Line,” individuals from a coalition of arts and labor groups, plan to stand along Broadway from Wall Street area to West 31st Street holding “pink slips,” 5 p.m.

16 National Organization for Women, rally, 7 to 9 p.m.

17 American Friends Service Committee, memorial display.

Thursday, Sept. 2

18 Vietnam Veterans Against the War, rally.

19 Dogs Against Republicans, show signs.

And from the NYC & Co. tourism bureau - - Free Stuff!!!!

Is the free bus ride from the airport on Sunday, AUG. 29 Delagates only? - Definitely delagates only - a complimentary MetroCard, digital camera, DVDs, books, movies passes (Loews), gift certificates and event tickets - say 7 p.m.: Take in a free Broadway play, such as "The Lion King" or "42nd Street." with next morning exercise at a New York Sports Club using free passes before your free delegate breakfasts at Bloomingdale's and Macy's from 9 a.m. to noon (Ghurka, on 57th Street and Madison Avenue, has one new set of luggage in a lottery from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m)

More food via the Republican Women in Congress reception, lunch at JPMorgan Chase world headquarters or hit Rudy Giuliani's event hosted by Sen. John McCain at Cipriani, with a free shopping toor of the Meatpacking District led by Girlshop.com, but be back in time (before 4:30) for free iced cappuccino at Club Monaco or Barneys for free cosmos- and CNN pays for dinner at the Tick Tock Diner.

Tuesday sucks until you get over to Sotheby's auction house for the 5-7 p.m. free cocktail party, unless you are already high from Waldorf-Astoria's free "wild" martinis, or you get lucky at the free view of the Mets batting practice and get an invite to the center-field barbecue, or are looking forward to seeing the U.S. Open and try today to win lottery for Wednesday games.

On Wednesday how will they keep the 6 pm New York Pops concert with the Gatlin Brothers at Central Park's Rumsey Field open to only the first 5000 GOPers? And will the free ride on Friday back to the airport be delagate only?.