Hearing on G20 Permits Continues

Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights called a long list of witnesses into federal court Wednesday in an effort to show a bias against their clients when it comes to issuing permits for G20 protests. The suit was filed on behalf of 6 organizations including the Thomas Merton Center and Code Pink claiming that the city and secrete service were too slow to respond to their applications and were playing favorites with other organizations. Months ago an application to use point state park for the Great Race was approved that basically monopolized the park for the week of the G20 summit. That prompted the city to reject permits to other organizations. However, the City Parks Department was approached by city police and was asked for a special agreement to use the park as a staging area. An agreement was reached. A similar agreement is being finalized for a rally sponsored by the Steel Workers Union, PA State Senator Jim Ferlo and a climate change group headed by former Vice President Al Gore for a one-day event the Wednesday before the summit. Code Pink had asked to hold a 5-day event in the park but later trimmed that down to a two-day event. The city has offered the group a one-day option or space in a parking lot on the edge of the Strip District. In court, the local head of Code Pink told the judge those were not acceptable options. The plaintiffs are trying to show that the city is working with big name groups and the police but will not work with the smaller groups. It was implied that there also might be some preference being given based on what message is being presented.

Three Rivers Climate Convergence (3rcc) is also listed as a plaintiff. 3rcc was denied a permit to use Point State Park and then shifted its focus to Schenely Park. 3rcc organizers say they want to hold sustainability related rallies and workshops in the park and then have 300-500 people spend the night in the park to demonstrate sustainable practices. The city has said that the parks close at 11:00 so no camping is allowed. 3rcc says it needs the camp to get out it message. A lawyer for the city asked the witness, “Who can see the practices in the dark?” and “How is the camp sustainable if it does not include any on-site food preparation?” Some believe the camp is little more than an excuse for out-of-town protesters to have a free place to spend the night.

The hearing continues this afternoon.