Activists Sue Philadelphia Over Thwarted DNC Protest

All political conventions have something in common: protestors. In the case of the upcoming Democratic National Convention, being held in Philadelphia, they’re anticipating LOTS of protestors. Provisions are being made for these groups as they exercise their First Amendment right to free speech, but one group is claiming to be disenfranchised by the city’s rules.

An anti-poverty group is suing the city to be allowed to march the streets of Center City during rush hour.

The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, a group of anti-poverty activists, were planning on demonstrating during rush hour, marching from City Hall to a park by the convention site on opening day. The city shut down their application to protest during that time, citing traffic concerns and the concurrent taking-place of other events. The city has flat-out said that it won’t grant permits during rush hour during the convention.

The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign has gained the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is backing the group in the lawsuit. The law alleges that time-based bans on protesting are unconstitutional and demands to have the group’s permit allowed. Mary Catherine Roper, the ACLU’s deputy legal director in Pennsylvania, was quoted on Cleveland.com: “We think this is an unnecessarily over-broad and unconstitutional restriction on the use of streets, which have always been a place for people to express themselves. We’re not saying it might not be an inconvenience.”

According to the suit, the city has, in the past, granted rush-hour exemptions for parades and other special events.

The city is refusing to comment while its law department reviews the suit.