NEW YORK, NY November 28, 2006 —Demonstrations of ten or more people could soon require a permit. That's if new rules proposed by the NYPD are approved. WNYC's Kathleen Horan attended the first public hearing on the matter.

More than 100 people waited in long lines to pass through security searches before entering one police plaza. Once inside the auditorium - most speakers testified against the rules that would change the definition of a parade.

If passed, permits would be required from 2 groups: 10 or more pedestrians or cyclists who travel more than 2 blocks who break traffic laws and gatherings of 30 or more - whether they follow traffic rules or not.

Skater and cyclist Lorraine Lions came to protest the plan she considers unfair -and says the larger problem is a lot of people don't know about the changes - like her Chelsea neighbors.

Many in attendance questioned the police's attempt to change a rule they must also enforce. The proposals follow recent court rulings that say permit regulations are too vague. For WNYC, I'm Kathleen Horan.