You can't protest here, you might kill the grass

Not only is this the latest excuse for NYC refusing to grant a permit allowing 250,000 protesters to gather at Central Park this Sunday, but it's been upheld by the courts. And it's caused the Australian media to pick on us.

Fresh green grass and Bush protected by ban on protest in Central Park

New York's Central Park is considered to be the heart and soul of the city.

That is why an estimated 300,000 people want to rally there this weekend. It is also why the City of New York wants to stop them. ...

The City of New York has canned the idea, saying 250,000 people would destroy the delicate grass in the park and overwhelm police. ...

So far, the City is winning. A judge rejected a motion by a group called Answer, which wanted to rally at the park this Saturday. The Great Lawn, 23 hectares of meticulously maintained green grass, was too delicate, he said.

If you can't practice free speech in the parks of a city, then where can you practice it?

On another note, anybody have some quick, dirty directions to Central Park via subway? I don't feel like searching online for an hour, and I'm no longer on speaking terms with the only person in I knew in NYC.