by Nick Castele
The city of Cleveland released information on applications for demonstration permits today. At least nine groups so far have applied to demonstrate during or just before the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer.
The applicants include groups in favor of apparent Republican nominee Donald Trump and those opposed to him. They say they’ll bring hundreds—or even thousands—of people to march through downtown Cleveland.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation plans a march from Cleveland State University into downtown. A Columbus-based anti-abortion group called Created Equal hopes to hold a press conference at Public Square the week before the RNC. Another organization, Stand Together Against Trump, plans to walk from Ohio City to the grassy mall outside the convention center.
This week, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the city urging officials to approve the applications more quickly. The ACLU was representing progressive group Organize Ohio, Citizens for Trump and an individual activist.
Without offering a specific date, a spokesman for the city says Cleveland will make decisions about the permits on time.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly suggested Created Equal would demonstrate during the RNC. The group requested dates the week before.
