New NYPD Public Gathering Rule Protest

Here we go again. You might remember the "two is a parade" rules that were brought up and withdrawn this summer. Well, they're back in somewhat modified form and there is a hearing about them scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27. To summarize the proposed rules, groups of ten or more bicyclists or pedestrians who plan to travel more than two city blocks without complying with traffic laws would need a permit or be subject to arrest and groups of thirty or more bicyclists or vehicles which obey traffic laws would also require a permit or be subject to arrest. You can read the full proposal here. There will be a public hearing at Police Headquarters on November 27th from 11am to 2pm.

A coalition called Assemble for Rights NYC, a coalition joined in this quest by City Council members Rose Mendez, Charles Barron, Letitia James, and Alan Gerson. The Center for Constitutional Rights, the National Lawyers Guild, United for Peace and Justice, Housing Works, the Five Boro Bike Club, the New York City Bicycle Coalition, and the Birth Control Project are among the members of the coalition.

Opponents are holding a rally from 10AM to 11AM, before the hearings, at NYPD Headquarters, One Police Plaza. For more information about the rally and about sending letters to City Council Members, check assembleforrightsnyc.org.


NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has again proposed undue and constitutionally questionable limits on political speech in New York City. The proposal represents a narrow retreat from a similar proposition that NYPD withdrew two months ago after vociferous opposition from members of the City Council and the public.