ACLU sues Denver, Secret Service to reveal DNC plans

The Post:

The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of 12 advocacy groups, today filed a federal district court lawsuit asking the court to order the City of Denver and the Secret Service to tell them as soon as possible where they can peacefully parade and demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention.

Mark Silverstein, ACLU legal director, and representatives of the groups, said the groups don't want a repeat of the situation in Boston in 2004 when law enforcement authorities set up a much-criticized "demonstration-zone" outside the heavily secured perimeter of the convention site.

Silverstein said in a case filed only two weeks before the Boston convention, a federal court described the zone - enclosed by concrete barricades, multiple lawyers of fencing, mesh, netting topped with overhead razor wire - as a "grim, mean, and oppressive space" comparable to an internment camp.

A grim, mean, and oppressive space for grim, mean, and oppressive people. What's the problem?

Steven Zansberg, an ACLU co-operating attorney, is leading the team filing today's lawsuit.

Zansberg said Denver has refused to process any applications for parade permits during the DNC, and it has refused to disclose any information about the "demonstration zone" that it plans to set up.

"Denver says it is waiting for the Secret Service to decide the outer boundaries of the security perimeter, and the Secret Service says it may not decide until July," said Zansberg. "If the plaintiffs are forced to wait for these government agencies to act, there will not be enough time for a court to review unreasonable restrictions on First Amendment activity."

The 12 advocacy organizations said that by filing the lawsuit they are attempting to protect the right to engage in peaceful marches, demonstrations and assemblies during the August convention.

Among the plaintiffs are Recreate 68 [you know them], Escuela Tlatelolco, and Troops Out Now [Colorado branch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Larry Hales Enterprises], which have filed requests for parade permits.

Update (God I love blogging dept.): Commenter Wm. T. Sherman (aka Kevin Bacon) notes a typo for the ages in the Post's story: "multiple lawyers of fencing." Can't believe I missed it. As my mother would say if she were here (she's downcellar): And you call yourself an editor.

Update II: The New York Times (the New York Times!) has the story.