“Delays by the city are effectively blocking groups from exercising their fundamental right to political expression,” said Christine Link, executive director of the ACLU of Ohio, in a written statement. “Cleveland is using security planning as a mask to suppress political speech. The city’s decision to allow such long delays is creating unacceptable barriers for potential demonstrators, regardless of political affiliation.”
The ACLU's message to the city: approve the permits before June 1 or face court action.
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