1998 July 4

“Civil Liberties Line: Do Not Cross” – NYCLU Protests Mayor Giuliani’s Assault on Civil Liberties

 

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) marked this day, the Fourth of July, by protesting NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s many civil liberties violations.

The protest involved a demonstration on the steps of New York City Hall to dramatize 14 cases in which Mayor Giuliani had violated the right of freedom of speech. The demonstration included mock police banners proclaiming “Civil Liberties Line: Do Not Cross.” The protest itself challenged the mayor’s rule that demonstrations on City Hall steps be limited to 25 people. Mayor Giuliani appeared briefly, leaving the building on his way to a Fourth of July event, but ignored the demonstration.

By the time Giuliani left office as mayor, the NYCLU had sued his administration over 25 times. See, for example, the case where Giuliani sought to defund the Brooklyn Museum because of an art exhibit he regarded as offensive (October 8, 1999).

On March 28, 2000 a judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals complained that there were so many appeals of free speech cases involving Giuliani that it was a “burden” on the court.

Learn more about Giuliani vs. the First Amendmenthttp://www.nyclu.org/news/nyclu-v-giuliani-first-amendment-cases

Learn more about the NYCLU: http://www.nyclu.org/

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