Protest group fights against permit restrictions during DNC in Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — A group planning to protest during the Democratic National Convention next week claims the city is imposing outrageous conditions on permits.

The Coalition to March on the DNC has planned an emergency press conference during its protest outside City Hall on Thursday afternoon.

The group's protest permits were granted, but the group said the city imposed restrictions that they believed were an attempt to silence them.

The group said the permit allows them to use Park 578 and the field at Union Park, but the terms of the permit do not allow them to set up stages or platforms or use sound equipment, nor are they allowed to bring in portable toilets.

The group said it was blinded by the city and wanted to protest these conditions. Organizers said their attorney also filed for an injunction to stop the city from enforcing these restrictions.

Fight for protest permits

A judge will not compel the city of Chicago to change the protest route offered to demonstrators during the Democratic National Convention, despite Protesters demand a route closer to the United Center.

There was a continuing Fight for protest permitsThe Coalition to March on the DNC sued the city for violating their First Amendment right to protest. The protest groups have applied for permits to demonstrate as early as 2023.

On Tuesday, however, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled that the current route complies with the First Amendment.

The city had agreed that protesters should stay “within sight and hearing distance” of the United Center. City Hall has proposed a route that begins around Union Park and heads south on Ashland Avenue, west on Washington Boulevard, north on Hermitage Avenue, west on Maypole Avenue to 578 Park, where many speeches are expected — and then to Damen Avenue, north to Lake Street and east back to Union Park, where more speeches are planned.