A federal judge on Thursday scrapped restrictions on potential protests at next month’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to a new report.
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District Court Judge James Gwin sided with the American Civil Liberties Union in their lawsuit against the city.
The city’s regulations restricted parades to 18 50-minute time slots on a single route.
Gwin first criticized the zone’s proposed size, calling the space surrounding Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena “unduly large” for the city’s purposes.
This story will be updated.
Judge Gwin suggested the city meet with the plaintiffs in the ACLU suit, including Organize Ohio, Citizens for Trump, and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, to try to work out plans for a smaller Event Zone, more possibilities for permitted parades and alternative sites for permitted rallies.
This Thursday, March 17, 2016 photo shows a Cleveland Police Mounted Unit patrolman directing pedestrians in downtown Cleveland.
City officials argued that such items could be used to hide bombs.
The City of Cleveland said it will appeal the decision, but the ACLU is hoping for a compromise ahead of the convention. Gwin also held that the restrictions would limit the first amendment right to free speech.
“If they want to walk up to the fence (outside the convention), put a bullhorn to their mouths and shout at the delegates, they can do that”, Hastings said.
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Hastings declined to comment immediately after the ruling, referring questions to the city’s press office. ACLU Executive Director Christine Link said her organization was “gratified” by the ruling.
