March 20 Demonstration Organizers say “Nothing will discourage us.”
1500 Letters Sent to Mayor Bloomberg Protesting Illegal NYPD Scare Tactics

Activists from the International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition, one of the organizations planning for the massive March 20 demonstration against war and occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and everywhere, say that they will not be discouraged by NYPD tactics designed to intimidate free speech. The police and the government are working to disrupt the large mass assembly at the opening rally in New York City by illegally breaking the crowd into segmented areas within each city block in an attempt to impede free exercise of the First Amendment right to association and assembly.

Brian Becker, of International ANSWER, said, “They couldn't deny us a permit so now they will spread the word: ‘Don't bother coming to Midtown Manhattan because there will be pens, and city blocks will be barricaded, etc.’ All of this is designed to discourage people from participating in a lawful and permitted demonstration. The people who are fighting for justice will not fall for this trick. The whole antiwar movement must unite to reject this message and tactic of intimidation which is aimed at chilling the exercise of protected First Amendment activity in New York City and is intended to prevent mass assembly.”

Becker added, “The police hope that if they can get the word out about their intended obstructions, they can discourage and frighten people from joining the opening rally, or cause a boycott of the demonstration. This blockading of streets is a political act by the police department exercising an illegal and unfettered authority that fundamentally negates the First Amendment. We will overcome their fear tactics with a massive turnout of tens of thousands of people. We will not be intimidated or discouraged.”

International ANSWER is also calling for supporters of Free Speech to send an email message to Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Council demanding that they uphold the rights of March 20 demonstrators by using an email link on the Vote No War website: http://www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/031204mar20.html . More than 1500 emails and letters have been sent to Bloomberg since this link was posted.

 The March 20 demonstration is part of a global day of action on the first anniversary of the war against Iraq. Tens of thousands of people, from more than thirty cities are organizing buses and car caravans to come to New York City for the protest, uniting around the slogans, “End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and Everywhere!” and “Bring the Troops Home Now!”