Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commission Kelly have a poor record of protecting the civil liberties of New Yorkers. They seem, to me, to have a passion for their own order and very little regard for law. Thus, for example, at the Republican National Convention, Mayor Bloomberg's police made a large number of arrests which, as it turned out, were not supported by facts or law. Similarly, every month the police department tries to seize bicycles and arrest riders at the Critical Mass rides. Those seizures and arrests have often been rejected by courts.

Unsuccessful at the law part of law enforcement aimed at protesters and bicycle riders, Mr. Bloomberg's police department now proposes a vast expansion of its power to regulate parades. Under the proposed rules, a "parade" would be a group of more than 20 bike riders or 35 pedestrians. Such gatherings would require a very hard to get parade permit.

How would the police handle a gathering of people in wheel-chairs? Should twenty of them constitute a parade? How about tricycle riders? Class trips would all require parade permits because the Mayor refuses to reduce class sizes.

Chris Dunn and Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union wrote a thoughtful essay about this bizarre police proposal which appeared in the City Section of last Sunday's New York Times which is worth reading: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/opinion/nyregionopinions/13CIdunn.html?

There will be a meeting at St. Mark's Church,.2nd Ave and 10th Street this Thursday August 17, at 7PM at which concerned citizens can learn more about the proposed
rule.

The comment period on the rule runs until Auguest 23rd. Written comments can be sent until Asst. Dep.Comm. Thomas P. Doepfner,NYPD, 1 Police Plaza, Rm. 1406 NY NY 10038.

On August 23rd, 2006 there is an in-person hearing set for 6PM at 1 Police Plaza. You can and should go if you want your views known on this.

You could consider calling your City Council Member on the subject or Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Some have suggested writing Mayor Bloomberg, but since it is his Police proposing this, it's reasonable to think the Mayor and his administration have made of their minds about this. (Most proposed rule changes of this sort are the subject of extensive public discussion long before they reach the almost-final stage they are in now.)

In addition to the information below, check out Andy Humm's excellent survey on this issue at www.gothamgazette.com and Ezekiel Edwards essay at www.dmiblog.net

Below are suggestions and a rule summary prepared by assembleforrightsnyc:

You can find your city councilor's phone number here: http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/index.cfm

You can contact the mayor at: 311

You should also contact Council Speaker Chris Quinn: (212) 788-7210

NYPD RULES CHANGE SUMMARY

* Any group of two (yes, 2) or more cyclists or pedestrians traveling down a public street, who violate any traffic law, rule or regulation can be arrested for parading without a permit.

* Any group of 20 or more cyclists must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest

* Every group of 35 of more pedestrians must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest

Review the material at www.assembleforrightsnyc.blogspot.com

Also see, Transportation Alternatives: www.transalt.org and the Five Borough Bike Club www.5bbc.org