By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - The city did not violate the First Amendment rights of anti-war demonstrators when it denied them a permit to march past the United Nations (news - web sites) on Saturday, a federal judge ruled Monday.



Citing "this time of heightened security," U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones said the city's need to protect the public outweighs the right of demonstrators to march by the U.N.


"While the court recognizes the distinct importance of marching, the city's restriction on marching is not a restriction on pure speech, but rather a restriction on the manner in which plaintiff may communicate its message," Jones wrote.


The city said it will allow the protesters to demonstrate in a designated area near the United Nations.


The demonstration is being organized by United for Peace and Justice, a coalition of anti-war groups that is sponsoring rallies throughout the world on Saturday.


The city had rejected a parade permit for Saturday's march because police could not assure public safety for up to 100,000 people without better information from organizers, city lawyer Rachel Goldman argued in court last week.


The United Nations is considered an especially sensitive security landmark after it was included in 1993 as a target of terrorists who plotted to blow up five New York City landmarks. The plot was thwarted and a dozen men were eventually convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.