Mar 20, 2008 10:22 am US/Central
Plans For Convention Protests Upsets Protesters
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
A Minneapolis government panel discussing how to handle protests during the Republican National Convention is running into protests of its own.
About 20 protesters held up signs and interrupted committee discussions Wednesday over whether to require registration for groups holding events during the convention.
The main convention business will be in St. Paul, but Minneapolis officials expect there to be some spillover.
City Council member Paul Ostrow says some kind of registration process will make it easier for the city to keep track of where and when protests will happen. The panel could adopt voluntary standards.
Generally, permits are required for parades, but protesters in Minneapolis who use the sidewalks and don't block traffic do not need permits.
Protesters at the hearing wanted a chance to address the work group, but were told they would have to wait until a later meeting.
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