| Releases & Statements
New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today criticized Mayor
Bloomberg and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe for their plan
to limit demonstrations, concerts, and public gatherings on Central
Park’s Great Lawn. Gotbaum, herself a former Parks Commissioner
during the Dinkins Administration, expressed outrage at the proposal
and questioned the City’s motives behind this plan.
"Central Park is a park for all New Yorkers and is a symbol
of free expression. The Bloomberg Administration, the Parks Department,
and the NYPD should be working on plans to provide safe and secure
gatherings and events throughout the summer rather than working
to limit the public’s right of expression," said Gotbaum.
"As a former Parks Commissioner, I understand the need to
ensure that Central Park’s lawns are protected and preserved;
however, the Parks Department must strike the appropriate balance
between the preservation of the Park’s grounds, and the
public’s right to utilize the Park for demonstrations, concerts
and other events. Current regulations already enable the Department
to deny a permit if a proposed event is likely to cause harm to
the park. I see no reason for the City to impose arbitrary limits
on the number, size, and timing of events that can be held in
this public space," wrote Gotbaum in a letter to the Mayor.
"This proposal limits not only the period in which gatherings
can occur, but allows only six events a year, four of which are
permanently reserved for concerts. Furthermore, in further efforts
to limit expression the plan restricts the amount of people taking
part in the events to under 50,000. Taking away what is arguably
the City’s premier venue for public expression counters
democratic principles,” said Gotbaum.
Gotbaum pointed out in her letter that the proposal, coupled with
the Police Department’s recent move to restrict parades
along Fifth Avenue, would seriously limit the public’s ability
to hold demonstrations. Fifth Avenue is the desired route for
parades and demonstrations, much like the Great Lawn is the preferred
location for special events within Central Park.
During the Republican National Convention
last year, Gotbaum advocated vigorously to secure a permit for
protestors to use the Great Lawn and met with the New York Civil
Liberties Union and others to discuss the issue. A staunch advocate
of free speech, Gotbaum has for years been a proponent of public
gatherings and expression in New York’s parks and public
spaces.
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