Groups, City Argue Over Rallies at Dem Convetion

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Groups, city argue over rallies at Dem convention

JUN 24, 2008 12:25 AM (1 HR 45 MINS AGO) BY IVAN MORENO, AP

DENVER (Map, News) - A spat between groups planning protests during the Democratic National Convention and city and federal officials continues to build as one of the biggest political events of the year rapidly approaches.

At issue is additional information city officials released Monday of an area for protesters during the convention, and whether groups planning demonstrations would be within sight and sound of the delegates. City officials have said they are committed to allowing protesters to express their views and be heard by delegates, and have designated what they call a "public viewing area" in a parking lot next to the Pepsi Center, the site of the convention Aug. 25-28. The area will use 50,000 square feet within a 350,000-square-foot parking lot next to the Pepsi Center. It will be encircled by wire mesh similar to chain link and will not be enclosed at the top, according to details released Monday.

That area, which is where the city's designated parade route ends, and the route itself have become lightning rods for protest groups, who encouraged the American Civil Liberties Union to sue the city and the U.S. Secret Service to release information about the demonstration area and security plans. "I think that there's been a lot of restrictions imposed on free speech," said Zoe Williams, a convention coordinator for Codepink, a national anti-war group. Codepink is one of 12 groups represented by the ACLU in the lawsuit.

Attorneys for the U.S. Secret Service on Monday filed a motion in federal court asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed and saying they have no obligation to release information to protesters.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/a-1455685~Groups__city_argue_over_rallies_at_Dem_convention.html

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[Mojorabbit]

1. I hate the idea

of free speech zones or whatever new name they are giving them now. On the other hand, I'd hate to see a free for all outside of the convention.

[ben_meyers]

2. Gee, I was just saying yesterday

Those of us that remember Chicago 68 might be just a little apprehensive at this point. Can Obama unite the party or does Denver turn into a cluster fark? Will he survive his own supporters to take on the Republicans or will he be making his acceptance speech, to a half empty convention hall, at 3 am with a backdrop of chaos?

I do wish him luck, I hope he is up to the challenge.




http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3503546&mesg_id=3503546

[awoke_in_2003]

3. "public viewing area"

a turd by any other name (free speech zone) stinks just the same.

[angstlessk]

7. they call it the "public viewing area" because the corpse of the 1st amendment

will be paraded by them! or should I say parodied?

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Oh, and one more thing

the First Amendment died a long time ago. If you have to ask permission (get a permit) to demonstrate, then it is no longer a right, but a privilege.

[global1]

5. One Would Think The Bulk Of The Protests Would Go On At The Repug .....

convention. Afterall, isn't that the party of *Co that lied us into war. Spied. Tortured. Outed. Shredded our Constitution. Ran down the value of the dollar. Ran up the cost of a gallon of gas.

Why is all the action at the Dem convention? Unless the protesters are Repug plants.

[ben_meyers]

6. But they aren't going to be in Denver to protest

These groups are going to Denver to influence their party and to make sure that their voices are heard by their party and to let Obama know that they got him were he is and he damned well better listen.

Why protest the Republicans, they aren't going to listen anyway, no matter who or how many show up.

Like I said in my above referenced post from yesterday, it's going to be like herding cats for Obama.

[AmyCamus]

8. You're not talking about the Hillary and the PUMA people?

They'll be there too.