Trampling on Protesters' Rights

The Republican Mayor of NYC has ensured that anti-Bush protestors will not be able to use Central Park as a protest venue. The excuse is that it will damage the frikkin' grass.

Worries about trampling on the city's grass are a weak excuse for treading upon Americans' First Amendment right to assemble to protest their government.

"The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances," is part of the Bill of Rights, which the Founders drafted more than two centuries ago to persuade the states to ratify the Constitution.