Jan 2, 2008 4:30 pm US/Central
Protesters In Search Of Permits For RNC
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
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The sign-toting, slogan-chanting crowd set out around noon in near-zero temperatures on what they described as the first part of a recurring protest.
CBS
A few dozen anti-war protesters marched Wednesday from the state Capitol to Xcel Energy Center, hoping it will guarantee them the chance to hold a demonstration along the same route during the Republican National Convention in September.
The sign-toting, slogan-chanting crowd set out around noon in near-zero temperatures on what they described as the first part of a recurring protest. They contend a St. Paul ordinance allows permits for recurring events to be considered and granted outside the six-month permit window used to assess single demonstrations. But the lead St. Paul police official warned that it's not so clear cut.
The Coalition to March on the RNC to Stop the War has complained that the city's process for awarding demonstration permits doesn't leave them enough time to finalize their plans. Applications for convention-timed protests won't be accepted until March 1 and it's unclear how long after that permits will be granted.
"The protest of the Republican National Convention requires the same type of planning the Republican National Convention requires," said Bruce Nestor, a Minneapolis attorney working with protesters as part of the National Lawyers Guild.
Nestor said groups intending to stage demonstrations need to secure buses, sound systems and bathrooms but some are reluctant to move ahead until they are certain their permit will come through.
Jess Sundin, a coalition leader, said St. Paul's parade and public assembly ordinance waives the need to apply for individual permits for events held on a regular basis and at the same location. Groups can get permits for a calendar year as long as they served two months' notice prior to the first event.
"We're going to keeping marching until the Republicans are here and we are going to be marching on the convention itself," Sundin said.
In November, the group submitted its plan for demonstrations along the route on Wednesday, on March 1, on May 1, on July 1 and Sept. 1. The application lists a wide attendance range for each event, from only three people to a crowd of 100,000.
St. Paul police authorized the January event, but only conditionally approved the marches through July.
Assistant Police Chief Matt Bostrom said he anticipates all of the group's marches ultimately will get approval. But he said it's too soon to sign off on specific routes, especially during the Republican convention.
Bostrom said police need to consider convention logistics, public safety concerns and the full slate of planned protests before locking down particular routes.
"In time they'll find out we're not up to anything subversive." Bostrom said. "We're there to facilitate. We're going to get this done. We understand there is a right to free speech and a right to parade."
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According to GOP.com, the Republican Party was born in the early 1850's by anti-slavery activists and individuals who believed that government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican Party president.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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