Cleveland Set For Conflict as Protesters Obtain Permits For Convention

By Phillip Stucky

Some groups that oppose the Republican National Convention have received permitting approvals from the city of Cleveland to protest the July affair.

A Tuesday American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suit questioned the application process for groups seeking to protest the GOP National Convention. So the City of Cleveland approved permits for groups, some of which have had an application on file for up to five months in advance.

The permits are from a wide range of groups. Westboro Baptist Church, “Stand Together Against Trump,” “Bring Back Ohio,” and “End Poverty,” are all groups that have applied for and received approval to march in the so-called “parade zone” in the downtown area of the city.

The city had regulations in place that severely limited rights within much of downtown Cleveland. City officials banned umbrellas, tennis rackets, as well as canned goods and glass bottles. The ACLU mentioned these regulations in its suit, stating that people who lived in the downtown area would automatically break regulations if they even visited a grocery store.

Cleveland has announced a number of approved applications since Tuesday.

A city administrator stated that applications are simply accepted on a first come, first served basis. The administrator also mentioned that there are parks along the parade route that are completely open to anyone who doesn’t have a permit but still wants to demonstrate.

Both liberal and conservative groups — both for and against the Republican candidate Donald Trump — received permits.  Follow Phillip On Twitter

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