ACLU Suing Philadelphia Over Alleged Free Speech Restrictions During DNC
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The ACLU of Pennsylvania filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia Thursday over its refusal to issue a march permit during the Democratic National Convention.
"We are not here to create a stylish form of protest," says Cheri Honkala at a press conference on Porter Street in South Philadelphia Thursday.
Honkala runs the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign and has actively spoken out against poverty for decades. She says her group is planning the "March for Our Lives"-- a demonstration that takes protesters from City Hall to the Wells Fargo Center via Broad Street during the Democratic National Convention next month.
She applied for a march permit, but the city denied the application.
"The city has given various excuses why they haven't permitted that march," says Mary Catherine Roper, an attorney with the ACLU of Pennsylvania.
She filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Poor People's Campaign and says the city's decision to close Broad Street to protesters during rush hour while the DNC is in town is an unreasonable restraining on free speech:
"It very significantly inhibits the ability of groups to be visible."
City officials are creating an area in FDR Park for protesters that include comforts and amenities. Last month, when asked about the Poor People's Campaign, city officials said they denied it because it would require Broad Street to be closed.
They asked Honkala to resubmit the request using a different route or location. Honkala says alternatives are not feasible:
"The city is spending as much money as possibly making us visibly disappear. All we have is our voice."
Honkala says she wants to bring the issues of poverty, homelessness and mass incarceration to the forefront during the DNC, while the nation's eyes are on Philadelphia:
"Shutting off our voice will not be an option. I am thrilled we finally get to go to court."
Roper says the ACLU will file a motion for an expedited hearing next week to ensure the issues are heard and decided before the DNC.
The city declined to comment on the case.
