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Legal battle between protesters, city of Chicago continues
The build-up leading to the DNC comes amid the legal battle between the City of Chicago and groups hoping to protest during the DNC.
The Coalition to March on the DNC, along with the US Palestinian Community Network, say the city is allowing its members to protest at Union Park and Park 578 near the UC, but without the use of stages, tents and sound equipment, citing safety concerns.
The organizations say the city is allowing its members to protest, but has put in place what they're calling "unreasonable" conditions that make it - "impossible for their messages to be heard."
Those conditions include no stages, tents, or sound equipment all because of safety concerns.
ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington says that legal battle could have an effect on protestors next week.
"It's in court, but if the protest groups come away unhappy they might be a bit rowdier than we expect next week, we'll see," Washington said.
And also happening Thursday, more groups planning to protest are due in court for a hearing.
They filed a lawsuit against Chicago, saying the city violated their First Amendment rights when it rejected an application to march near the United Center.
The city instead offered an alternate protest route, three miles from the convention, so that protests wouldn't encroach on the Secret Service secure perimeter.
This week a judge ruled that route was OK, but arguments continue about additional permits.
More than 200 organizations are planning to protest next week.
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