NEW YORK — An anti-war group suggested yesterday that protesters could still gather in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention, despite a judge's ruling that it may not stage a rally there.

The group, United for Peace and Justice, said it would hold a march past Madison Square Garden and ending at Union Square, then let individuals decide for themselves whether to go to the park.

"To our supporters, we ask that you follow our march to the end and then make your own decision," said Leslie Cagan, the group's national coordinator. "I will be going to Central Park after this march."

On Aug. 25, a state judge rejected a bid by the group to force the city to allow a rally in the park on Aug. 29. City officials have said such a rally, which could draw 250,000 people, could damage lawns in the park.

The march was scheduled to begin at 14th Street at Seventh Avenue, proceed north 20 blocks to the Garden, the site of the convention, turn east and then return south to Union Square.

Cagan noted that Union Square was a place where many New Yorkers gathered in grief after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

United for Peace and Justice said that the Rev. Jesse Jackson, liberal filmmaker Michael Moore and actor Danny Glover were expected to join the march.

A second group, the anti-war ANSWER coalition, which saw its appeal to stage a rally in Central Park tomorrow rejected in a federal court earlier this week, said it had begun handing out fliers informing protesters of their right to congregate in Central Park.

The flier issued by the ANSWER coalition outlines city regulations, which the group says allow protesters to bring political signs to the park as long as they are no larger than 2 by 3 feet.

"The fact is that people are coming to Central Park," said Brian Becker, national coordinator for the group. "It is their constitutional right to do so."

Earlier yesterday, police arrested four people for allegedly unfurling an anti-Bush banner out of the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue. The sign had the word "truth" on an arrow pointing north toward Central Park and another arrow with "Bush" pointing south toward Madison Square Garden.

Police said an officer needed 38 stitches for a leg wound he suffered at the scene, and the four protesters were charged with assault along with reckless endangerment, criminal trespassing and other offenses.

Also yesterday, a group of AIDS activists stripped naked in front of the convention site, demanding that President Bush make good on his promise to help HIV-positive people in the world's poorest countries.

Two clothed members of ACT UP climbed atop a media van parked on West 33rd Street, across from Madison Square Garden, and held a sign reading "W: Drop the Debt. Stop AIDS." Then nine others, standing in the street, removed all of their clothes; a tenth protested in her underwear.

"This is New York," Mayor Michael Bloomberg joked later. "Of course we have ... naked people on Eighth Avenue."

Police said they arrested 11 people. They were variously charged with public lewdness, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

An additional five protesters were arrested last night at Union Square, two for allegedly using a bullhorn without a permit and three on charges of obstructing government administration, police said.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said today that most of the demonstrators "want to voice their opinions in a peaceful way."

"I think there are a small number of people who want to come here and be disruptive; we're aware of that; we're prepared to handle that," Kelly said in an interview on CBS's "The Early Show." "But again, the vast majority of people are going to be peaceful."

A poll released yesterday said 81% of New Yorkers approved of lawful demonstrations during the convention, and 68% approved of nonviolent civil disobedience. Nearly all disapproved of violent protests, the Quinnipiac University Poll found.

Eleven percent said that they would take part in protests this weekend or during the four-day convention.