The Hip-Hop Summit
Action Network announced today (August 25) that they were canceling a protest
of the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York, scheduled to coincide with the Republican
National Convention.
“As we began
negotiations with the New York City Police Department for an August 30 permit
to march and rally on the first day of the Republican National Convention, we
were informed of other organizations, such as Still We Rise, who also wanted
to march or assemble on that date,” HSAN said in a statement. “We
readily agreed to file a joint application with the New York City Police Department
for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and Still We Rise. Thus, the formal name
of what was planned for August 30 became the March on New York: Still We Rise.”
The non-profit
said that increased security concerns and other events led to the cancellation.
“Regrettably,
due to increased security measures and safety concerns around the Republican
National Convention and the timing of the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami where
a number of the leading hip-hop artists will be, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
has decided not to participate in the March on New York: Still We Rise. The
large-scale march that we had originally planned, given these circumstances,
is not now feasible. We wish, however, the Still We Rise Coalition all the best
for success in their mobilization, march and assembly on August 30th and the
Hip-Hop Summit Action Network will make a donation to Still We Rise in support
of them for their march. HSAN looks forward to continuing its work to increase
public awareness around the unfairness of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.”
HSAN’s announcement
comes on the heels of a controversial decision by a New York judge, who rejected
a last-minute plea from anti-war activists who were seeking to hold a massive
rally in Central Park.
State Supreme Court
Justice Jacqueline Silbermann ruled that United for Peace and Justice could
not hold a massive rally they were planning the day before the convention starts.
The organization
sued the city last week after the Parks Department claimed the proposed protest
would ruin the park’s lawn.
United for Peace
shot back, saying the park has been used for events of similar magnitude, citing
a Dave Matthews concert that attracted 70,000 people.
The group said
the ruling violated the state Constitution because it allowed cultural events
and not political protests.
Silbermann ruled
in favor of the city, saying they proved "the Great Lawn was not an appropriate
venue for a demonstration of this magnitude."
Over 250,000 people
are expected to protest the Republican National Convention and large numbers
of people are expected to protest in the park anyway.
