From The Hotline Latest Edition for Monday, May 5,2008

CONVOS

Speed It Up Already

Mon. May 5, 2008


The CO ACLU filed a federal lawsuit 5/2 against the U.S. Secret Service and the city of Denver "to ensure protesters can march and demonstrate within sight and hearing of delegates" at the Dem Convo. "According to court documents and protest organizers, the city says it's been waiting of the Secret Service to disclose the security of boundaries before it can act. Protesters said the delay is hampering their planning efforts."

"A spokesperson for the mayor's office disputed the assertions in the lawsuit." Denver City Atty David Fine, in a statement: "No one has been denied the right to protest. In fact, you will see a vigorous exercise of free speech during the convention -- in many ways and places" (Chacon, Rocky Mountain News, 5/2).

ACLU CO legal dir. Mark Silverstein said that at the Dem Convo is Boston in '04, First Amendment challenges could not be addressed by judges because security measures were announced too late. "Specifically, the suit asks the court to order the Secret Service to immediately provide information to the city that will allow Denver officials to begin considering permit requests for parades and specifying a 'demonstration zone' near the convention center. The suit also asks the court to review those regulations for violations of free speech protection" (Johnson, New York Times, 5/3).

You'll Need Those Cabs If You're Drinking 'Til 4

"Minneapolis now officially supports legislation that allows that later drinking hours" during the GOP convo "-- but only if the City Council decides where and when." The City Council stance, adopted 5/2 on a 9-3 vote, rejects its own cmte's advice "to take to position and puts the city at odds with St. Paul, whose council rejected later hours" 4/30.

"They equated late drinking hours with being a great city." Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak "said he's concerned by 'deragatory messages' by St. Paul DFL Council Member Dave Thune about 'puking Republican lobbyists.'" Rybak: "I want to roll our the red carpet."

"If the state bill passes, wither city can change its mind, since the 4 a.m. closing bill ... requires local approval to implement" (Brandt, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 5/4).

The Minneapolis City Council 5/2 "approved an ordinance that will allow cabs licensed by other cities to pick up fares in Minneapolis during this summer's convention." St. Paul "is expected to adopt a nearly identical ordinance later this month, and Bloomington already has such reciprocity on the books."

"Those laws are intended to allow cabs licensed in the three cities -- and at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport -- to flood whichever areas need mass cab service during the convention. Ordinarily, a cab licensed in one jurisdiction can drop off passengers in another, but can't pick up a fare there" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 5/2).