5/1/2008 - KARE11.com - Anti-war protesters rally on capitol steps
In the News | Permits
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=509508
Anti war protestors rally on capitol steps
Anti-war protestors rallied on the State Capitol steps Thursday to show their opposition to the Republican National Convention coming to St. Paul in September.
They chanted and demanded the city grant permits for protestors to march in front of the Xcel Center where the RNC will be held.
The event was held on the five year anniversary of President Bush's appearance on an American aircraft carrier, declaring that major hostilities in Iraq had ceased. He stood under a banner reading "mission accomplished."
Deb Konechne, St. Paul, was one of the organizers of the March on the RNC and Stop the War event.
She said her group has a constitutional right to protest and will be marching in front of the Xcel Center on September 1, with or without a city permit.
"We will be out there regardless, but of course it is better for everyone involved to have a permitted protest and that's why we are here today", said Konechne.
Konechne's group has filed a lawsuit against the city of St. Paul because so far the city has not issued them or any organization a permit to protest.
Tom Walsh, St. Paul Police public information officer, said this group has nothing to worry about.
"Everyone who has applied for a permit has been promised they would have a permit in their hand by May 31", said Walsh.
