Ohio court hands a victory to Occupy protesters

CLEVELAND - An Ohio appeals court decision has opened the door for Occupy Cleveland protesters -- or anyone else -- to stage late-night demonstrations in the city's Public Square.

The 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals ruling stemmed from a 2011 case in which Occupy protesters were arrested for violating curfew for staying there overnight.

The court ruled the city's curfew ordinance, which banned people without a permit from Public Square between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., violated First Amendment rights.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that an attorney for the two protesters whose convictions were overturned by the decision called it a major victory for the Occupy movement.

Cleveland Law Director Barbara Langhenry said the city is disappointed in the decision and is trying to determine whether to appeal.