Again, why am I ever surprised?
There’s a peace march scheduled in New York City today. But it will be more like a peace standstill. Unlike the 602 cities around the globe where protesters plan to march together to protest a war on Iraq, New York authorities won’t allow it.
The Bloomberg administration made the decision well before last week’s heightened security alert. A federal three-judge panel affirmed it – even though The New York Times reported a police commander told a federal judge that he had no reason to expect violence.
The Homeland Security Department alerted the country that there’s a possible threat, but urged Americans to go on with our lives. Anyone considering marching with 100,000 other people can decide for themselves whether to take the risk.
But there’s more to it than that. The Bush administration – which is in the midst of trying to sell the war to the public – filed a brief urging the judges to uphold denial of the permit. And the Bloomberg administration has no intention of forcing a St. Patrick’s Day standstill instead of a parade – even though it’s bigger and likely more raucous.
More here, via Atrios, who adds:
The Bush administration filed a brief in support of a city government’s attempts to suppress a march which was protesting their policies.
Let’s say that again.
The Bush administration filed a brief in support of a city government’s attempts to suppress a march which was protesting their policies.