On Thursday October 26th, the Assemble for Rights Coaltion sent letters to every member of the New York City Council asking for their support in opposing the NYPD's new parade permitting rules, and asking them to back the New York City First Amendment Act. Along with the letter the Coalition sent a copy of the proposed legislation and a summary of the legislation's origin and intended effect.

Click the read more to read the cover letter.

The Letter Stated, in part;

While a State Supreme Court Judge ruled in 2006 that the parade permit laws are too vague, he implied that the correct body to change these significant rules is the City Council, not the NYPD. The NYPD argues that it is merely clarifying the current rules, that this is a matter of guaranteeing public safety, though their proposed rules go beyond simple traffic enforcement and have troubling civil liberties implications.

We hold it to be self evident that only the New York City Council, as elected representatives of the people, has the authority to make laws that affect the fundamental freedoms of all New Yorkers.

As mandated by the City Charter the Police Department is having a public comment period on the new rules on November 27th. Speaker Quinn has expressed her desire that the Police Department “carefully consider all the comments that they receive from individuals and groups during this public comment period.” While we appreciate the Speakers’ intentions we do not believe that New Yorkers should be forced to lobby the Police Commissioner about what the City’s policy will be regarding public assemblies. The NYPD is not politically accountable, nor an elected body. Instead we call on you, the City Council to take charge on this important issue.

The City Council should pass legislation that both safeguards the full expression of our Constitutional rights and ensures the public safety. Assemble for Rights has put forward the NYC First Amendment Act that will accomplish these goals, and I urge you and the City Council to adopt it, or a similar legislation.

Downloads:

Full text of the Letter (MS Word Document)

Summary of the Legislation (MS Word Document)