ACLU sues Chicago over DNC march denial
CHICAGO — A group of nine organizations demanding that Democrats adopt a national agenda to protect equal rights and bodily autonomy have filed a federal lawsuit with the ACLU of Illinois after the city denied their request to march near the Democratic National Convention.
The group calling itself Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws want to demonstrate near the United Center, McCormick Place and Michigan Avenue but say the city has told them they are restricted to Columbus Drive from Roosevelt to Jackson, which is more than three miles from the United Center, where the convention will be held Aug. 19-22.
>> Download: Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws Complaint
Organizers are pushing to be closer to delegates who they say have done little to help their causes.
“To force Democrats to live up to their verbal promises rather than cynically using our issues for electoral fodder, and like with so many previous promises, ignoring them after the election,” group spokesman Andy Thayer said.
The coalition of abortion rights activists and LGBTQ+ groups said they submitted their first application at the beginning of January and, like other groups looking to protest during the convention, have been denied.
“The reasoning has been very vague. The city has cited not having enough resources during the convention to ameliorate any traffic disruptions and they’ve talked about not having sufficient law enforcement,” said ACLU attorney Rebecca Glenberg. “This is one of the reasons that it’s clear the permit denial is so clearly unconstitutional.”
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The coalition notes similar backlash protestors received in 1996, the last time the DNC was held in Chicago. Back then, litigation moved the security footprint within sight and sound of delegates.
“We’ve been down this road again, and one would hope that we would learn the lessons from ’96 and not have to have this kind of litigation,” said Ed Yohnka with the ACLU of Illinois.
A representative with the city said they do not comment on pending litigation.
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