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Demonstrators frustrated with permit process

Posted at 3:51 PM, May 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 19:35:21-04

Five groups have filed permits with the City of Cleveland to demonstrate during the RNC in July.

 

The permits are actually called parade permits, some of the groups say the parade permit process has hit a sour note.

 

There were numerous demonstrations during the Tamir Rice case.

 

Demonstrators during the RNC are also requesting to demonstrate in city streets and parks.

 

City officials have said they can't approve any permits at this time, because the Secret Service hasn't told them yet which streets will be closed around the Q.

 

"The ACLU is quite concerned and frustrated,” said Freda Levenson with the ACLU which represents some of the groups who are waiting on permit approval.

 

"It is taking too long and it's interfering with the possibility of these groups actually being able to make there preparations to attend and participate,” Levinson said.

 

Levinson said it's unfair the city is making groups wait as the convention gets closer.

 

"They would like to parade in an orderly fashion and express their first amendment right safely, according to the rules, but these permits have not been acted on and it's been many months,” Levenson said.

 

Some of the groups requesting permits are Organize Ohio which deals with poverty issues and The AIDS  Healthcare Foundation. 

 

Another group filing for a permit supports Donald Trump.

 

One group is requesting to put up a 48 foot inflatable rocket, and another promises to not cause a disruption or use violence.

 

The groups wrote in their permits they expect to be joined by one to five thousand demonstrators.