Cleveland has been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union and three other groups over limits on free speech. Anticipating unruly demonstrations against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Cleveland has set aside 3.3 square miles in the city center where free speech and mobility are restricted. The city is also being sued for dragging its heels over issuing permits for protests.(Reuters, June 14, 2016, by Kim Palmer with Daniel Trotta)
A party to the lawsuit, Citizens for Trump plans also plans to hold demonstrations with thousands of
Trump loyalists but has been thwarted by its failure to obtain permits. (THINKPROGRESS, June 15, 2016, by Kira Lerner)
The ACLU says groups from across the political spectrum have been frustrated by the lack of accommodation for free speech activities including their delays in approving parade permits. “Delays approving permits are already having a chilling effect on speech. The city is withholding information that organizers need to finalize plans so people can come out and be heard as the national spotlight focuses on Cleveland. By effectively denying permits through attrition, Cleveland is removing the people from an event which is supposed to be a celebration of democracy,” said the ACLU, June 15, 2016 in a press release.