Got plans for the 1st of September? Come visit!

Freedom of Speech. Freedom to Congregate. Two cornerstones of the politicians who forged our Constitution. Can't very well screw the king and the greatest empire on the earth, if you can't meet publicaly. Oh, I guess they did. Which is why the oppressive monarchy across the ocean didn't want them to.

We the People are stuck with the same damn crap.

"This protects free speech…the strength of the proposal is that it sets forth responsible guidelines for police to address any problems." -- Yup, the strength of the new rule is not to protect the people, it's to strengthen the Police State.

I don't know why they don't just give up the fake concern for the law and just enact friggin' martial law during the convention.

Protesting in the street in violation of some fascist effort to squash my rights?

Sign me up!

This is exactly the sort of thing that on GPs gets me to *want* to go hangout on the streets of Mpls during the RNC just to enjoy my constitutional rights of Free Speech and Freedom of Assembly.

I got arrested once on a stupid problem with parking tickets. I got arrested once on a case of mistaken identity (you try being named Smith). Those are stupid and a good party story, respectively.

I would be proud of getting arrested defending my constitutional rights. Collecting on the sidewalk, as long as it doesn't spill into traffic or into private businesses ... yup, sign me up.

Freedom of Assembly:
"If the assembly in public is expected to involve more than one participant, its organisers are obliged to notify [authorities] of the upcoming event few days in advance in writing. However, legislation does not foresee an authorisation procedure, hence the authorities have no right to prohibit an assembly or change its place unless it threatens the security of participants or is planned to take place near hazardous facilities,...prisons, courts,... The right to gather can also be restricted in close proximity of cultural and historical monuments.

The regional and local authorities can issue secondary regulations, but limitations and prohibitions on public events can only be introduced by Federal Laws."

sounds okay? not so bad? the Feds can't go changing this ... uh, Yeah, but the above quote is from current Russian law. Unlike Boston 4 years ago. Or like the dorks here want.

In Michigan, the state gov't regulates and rather tightly restricts the right to assembly on the capitol grounds. This is okay with me. One must 'reserve' a space for the day, with a first-come first-served rule. They have given permits to the KKK and some rabid left-wing group. As discovered during the KKK demonstration, they didn't restrict the right to assemble on the sidewalk across from the demonstration area. I'm okay with needing to 'reserve' a spot in front of the capitol. Not here! The Minneapolis City Council wants to make people "voluntarily register" to "reserve" a designated spot in public areas. With the ability of the police to forcibly evict you, if you haven't "registered".

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -- apparently Congress can't, but the Minneapolis City Council can.