Starting August 24, the NYPD's new "Parade" rules will take effect unless the Mayor or City Council take action to stop them. What would these new rules mean to everyday people?
- 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
In practical terms this means that any public gathering or organized protest could be stopped and its participants arrested at the whim of police officers.
There will be a Citizen's Forum this Thursday, August 17 at St. Mark's Church, Second Avenue and 10th Street at 7pm to discuss the rules. Then on Wednesday, August 23 there will be an official hearing on the new rules at One Police Plaza, 6 pm (note: the same night at the Atlantic Yards hearing).
Additionally, Transportation Alternatives has put together a list of things that you can do to help ensure these new rules are not enacted.
