In a stunning turn of events, the NYC Police Department has reversed its previous decision to deny us the right to march near the United Nations on Sept. 19th.

When the NYPD told us there would be no marches in the vicinity of the UN that day, we announced that we would march anyway, even if it meant we went to jail. We have just learned that we are being given a permit for a march and rally that morning to call for an end to the war in Iraq.

As President Bush makes his way to the UN for his speech to the General Assembly, we will be gathering at 6th Avenue and 37th Street in Manhattan between 9 and 9:30 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. we will begin our march, heading north on 6th Avenue and then east on 47th Street. We will end at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 47th Street between 2nd and 1st Avenue, across from the UN with a rally from 11 a.m. to 12 noon; Bush will be speaking at the UN sometime between 11:30 and 11:45 am.

Let's make this a large and loud call for an immediate end to the war and occupation in Iraq -- all the troops must be brought home, and brought home now!

We have agreed to march on the sidewalk for this demonstration. While it is certainly not as good as marching in the street, we had offered this as an alternative we could live with when we were negotiating with the police. They had told us this too would be unacceptable. It is clear that our determination to march with or without a permit -- our determination to be heard -- had an impact on the NYPD's decision to give us a permit for our protest.

We know that many of you will not be able to march with us next week, but we thought it was important to let you all know what has been happening. The fact that we stood up against an attempt to limit our right to peacefully protest -- and that we have won this struggle -- is news we wanted to share with you.

We have been encouraged by the widespread support we have received from across the country. We have been inspired by the strong numbers of people who have expressed their willingness to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience to defend our right to protest. Though achieving a permit is a victory, we cannot back down in our efforts to end the war in Iraq. The September 19th demonstration kicks off a week of action around the country -- the Declaration of Peace. We hope you will participate in this nationwide display of powerful actions for peace, culminating in two days of nonviolent civil disobedience in Washington DC. Visit www.declarationofpeace.org to find an event near you and to get involved.

If you are able to make it to NYC this coming Tuesday, Sept. 19th, to join this permitted march and rally, please do so. Even though it is a work day, we hope to have a large and vocal demonstration. Please check our website for other details, for a leaflet you can download and reproduce, and for other organizing resources.

Finally, once again we must ask for your financial support. Every dollar you send helps make it possible for UFPJ to continue our important work. Please take a moment right now to make the most generous donation you can. Thanks so much!