NEWS FLASH

Rochester, NY Is Using ‘Unconstitutional’ City Ordinances To Shut Down Occupy Rochester Protests | Rochester, New York is using an “unconstitutional” city ordinance to prevent Occupy Rochester demonstrations in Washington Square Park, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). The ordinance gives the Commissioner of Recreation and Youth Services “unbridled discretion to decide whether the public park should remain open or closed after normal operating hours.” The NYCLU also reports that the Rochester Police Department told protesters to “keep the signs to a minimal” in possible reference to another city ordinance that requires a permit to display a sign in a public park. Through these ordinances, Rochester is now “the first and only city in the state of New York to shut down an ‘Occupy’ demonstration in a public park.” “The city’s crackdown on ‘Occupy Rochester’ demonstrations shows a disturbing disregard for the constitutionally protected right to protest,” said NYCLU. “We hope that city officials will embrace free speech and stop enforcing these unconstitutional ordinances. If they choose not to, we are confident the courts will protect protesters’ First Amendment rights.”