Protesters Sue For The Right To Rally On Bloomie's Doorstep

Demonstrators are suing the city after the NYPD rejected their application to protest charter schools and school closings directly in front of Mayor Bloomberg's Upper East Side townhouse. The plaintiffs claim the NYPD "unconstitutionally and without any legal basis" denied their application to march single file on both sides of 79th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenue on Jan. 21. "Our voices haven't been heard, so we thought that the best way for the mayor to hear us would be for us to take our voices to his block," said protester Julie Cavanagh.

According to the Times, the NYPD attempted to compromise with the demonstrators by allowing them to march on the south side of 79th Street, but not directly in front of the Mayor's residence on the north side of the street. But the group turned down the offer because rallies against the closure of firehouses were allowed on the north side in 2003 (many other permits for protests on the north side of the street have since been rejected). "The larger issue is clear: Can a public sidewalk be transformed into a private enclave because the mayor of New York lives there?" asked lawyer and failed public advocate candidate Norman Siegel. "The answer is no."

According to a city attorney, the NYPD's decision to bar protesters from the north side of the street was "a lawful and appropriate accommodation to the protesters' desire to exercise their First Amendment rights while at the same time assuring that safety and necessary access can be maintained at the mayor's residence."

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By Ben Muessig in News on January 14, 2010 8:30 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

There working on a compromise: everyone can demonstrate except felix.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

NYPD is Bloomberg's army. We are able protest on any street as long as it doesn't impede people. But never in front of Bloomberg's townhouse. I put use in a north corner and it looks like you are protesting the embassy across his house. It is ridiculous and I hope they win this suit against NYPD

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

at the same time assuring that safety and necessary access can be maintained at the mayor's residence." _ Bullshit, he is the only person that lives in that townhouse and its near the corner so it doesn't block anyone's access. so full of it.

really!?!?

Actually is over 200 feet off the corner. There is a bus stop there as well as 3 buildings with over 70 apartments between the townhouse and the corner. Not to mention that going towards Madison on the north side of the street (closer to Bloomie townhouse then the corner of 5th is) there is a school with Nursery through 6th grade. So it would block a lot of people's access to homes, schools, and public transportation.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

I meant NYPD put us in the north corner ... And you captains, sergeant, 5 cars surround his house. wtF??? it is a joke. the townhouse is well secured. Bloomberg ego is well out of bound.

grizzzly

I don't see why they should be allowed to inconvenience and bother the mayor's neighbors, but not the mayor himself.

REALITY CHECK

Yes, won't anyone think of those poor, unfortunate souls on East 79th Street overlooking Central Park.

etypical

aside from the fact that Bloomberg is so much better than all his neighbors and NYers overall?

sidenote

Exactly - just when do they think the Mayor will be home to hear their voices? Late morning, early afternoon? Give me a break - better to go down to city hall.

JenChungsBaby

I worked for someone who had protestors at his home because of decisions he made in his job, and from what I've seen it does have an effect. But maybe Bloomie is such a cold-hearted fucker that he won't care.

Either way, it's reasonable to keep protestors away. If you're on the sidewalk there you're literally ten feet from the mayor's front door. Let them go across the street where they can bother the Iraqi consulate, because we haven't done enough to those people already.