(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Groups that want to protest near the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in August have sued the city of Chicago in federal court.
The Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, the Anti-War Coalition and Students for a Democratic Society at UIC want to protest near the United Center, in the hopes that their messages will be heard by President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders.
City officials, though, said there aren't enough police officers or other personnel to handle protests near the United Center while also handling security and traffic for the convention.
Instead, the city offered to allow demonstrations along Columbus Drive between Roosevelt Road and Jackson Boulevard. Civil rights attorney Chris Williams said that's too far away from the United Center.
“The city picked a spot three miles away — nowhere near the site — and did not consider anything else; [they] never engaged the plaintiffs,” said Williams. “Big cities like New York have had national conventions and, while they have not allowed protesters or marches right in front of the convention center, they have allowed them in sight and sound of the convention center.”
Williams is representing the three groups in a federal lawsuit, which accuses the city of violating their First Amendment rights by not allowing demonstrations close to the United Center during the convention.
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