Why Are Anti-Bush NY Protests Being Routed to WTC?

"The mayor loves the war because Bush loves it. He says he follows Bush so the Republicans send funds to New York. They don't send the city the right time. They do pretend that they are going to let Bloomberg into their parlor. They'll come into his parlor to take home money. And he does what they want. He has his police order the protest to go on the West Side Highway and then down to Chambers Street for a rally that is as close to the World Trade Center as you can get. The Republicans planned to hold the convention here in New York to bring back Bush's great moment: Up there atop a wrecked fire engine with a retired firefighter who was presented in a hero's pose. What a president! 'Bring 'em on.' It fooled most of the country. Then his campaign against terrorists turned into a disaster in Iraq, and the Trade Center, under examination, became an absolute failure.

But if you can put a lot of protesting Democrats near the Trade Center, this stone conservative, religious right-wing George Bush and his people can point to the crowd and say, 'Sure, look at them, no decent American would be in a demonstration at this spot. These people say the world is not safer since we captured Saddam Hussein. That's un-American. Of course it is safer. The only thing that has happened is a bunch of soldiers being killed every day. I will show you how indecent they are: They hold up signs asking me where is bin Laden.'

This suspicion alone should cause the hundreds of thousands to rail and refuse to follow the parade route because it is the work of dictatorship. The marchers need neither permit nor official route designed to ruin them. Once past Madison Square Garden, they can just go for a walk in the park on a Sunday..."

New York City: In 1773, they risked lives to speak out.