ACLJ Helps Dominicans for Trump Secure NYC Rally Permit

The ACLJ has helped a group holding an event called Dominicans for Trump navigate its rights to engage in political gatherings. This grassroots political organization sought to hold a peaceful rally on a pedestrian plaza in New York City to express their political views but encountered roadblocks when applying for the necessary permits. After we helped the group members navigate the process, those permits were eventually granted, and they were able to continue with their rally this past weekend.

Dominicans for Trump is an event held by the Northern Manhattan Republicans Grassroot Movement, a grassroots organization of Dominican-American supporters of President Donald Trump. They planned to hold a rally in a public plaza in New York City, using public space to share their views with others. They sought to hold a peaceful and respectful event to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. They also requested a sound permit so they could effectively communicate their message.

However, when they applied for the required permits, they faced what appeared to be unnecessary delays and bureaucratic obstacles. Their event had minimum bells and whistles; all they sought to do was gather as a group and express their political views. They had submitted all the required paperwork to request the use of public space a month before the event and complied with the application procedures.

However, they were told that the police chief who would make the decision about the event had decided to sit on their request and wait until the last possible moment to make a decision about it. This delay would impose significant hurdles for the group, as they would have no way to know if their permit would be denied or why NYC was making the decisions that it was.

We met with the Northern Manhattan Republicans and discussed their situation. We also thoroughly reviewed the permit application process and the city’s response. While cities can impose reasonable and neutral requirements on reserving public spaces, the Supreme Court has emphasized that those requirements cannot be imposed in a way that is not content-neutral. We sought to help equip the group with the understanding of the law they needed so their free speech would be upheld.

After we spoke with them, they met with the police chief, seeking to ensure that their First Amendment rights would be upheld. The police chief promised them that the permits would be issued but then rejected the sound permit request without an explanation. Not having sound devices would be a significant problem for the group, as they need to be able to actually have their voices heard. People use sound devices for all kinds of political activity, but here, a conservative group was being denied a permit to use amplification without even an explanation. However, the group kept exercising pressure and demanded that their rights under the First Amendment be enforced; and after that pressure, both their event and sound permits were issued.

The First Amendment protects all speech, regardless of political affiliation. When government entities attempt to stifle free expression based on viewpoint, it threatens the very foundation of our democracy. We are thankful that our discussions and meetings with this group helped them navigate the path to exercising their First Amendment rights.

We remain vigilant in our defense of First Amendment rights for all Americans, regardless of their political views. Our legal team stands ready to challenge any attempt to use bureaucratic processes to silence constitutionally protected speech.

Your support enables us to continue this vital work. Together, we can ensure that the Constitution’s promise of free speech remains a reality for all Americans, preserving the robust exchange of ideas that is essential to our democracy.