The lawsuit was filed by three groups that intend to either rally or protest outside the event, Citizens for Trump, a Texas-based group that supports the businessman’s campaign; Organize Ohio, a liberal activist group; and Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, a charitable organization, Reuters reported.
In addition to disagreeing with the creation of a large no-dissent zone, the lawsuit argued that there were too many unfair restrictions on what people can carry, stating:
“Regulations prohibit the possession of items that are essential to and often carried by homeless people every day, items as basic as string, rope, tape, coolers, large backpacks, and tents, among other things. By designating many of their basic, everyday necessities as contraband, and drawing an unreasonably wide zone for enforcement, the City is subjecting its homeless residents to unnecessary encounters with the police, and interfering with their rights to liberty, privacy and movement.”
“The Regulations, however, prohibit shoppers from carrying cans, canned goods, bottles, and aerosol cans out of a store. University tennis courts are located in the Event Zone, but tennis balls are ‘prohibited’ in the zone. The absurd reach of the Regulations over everyday items goes on and on.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is working closely with attorneys for the city to establish a smaller restricted space around the Quicken Loans Arena, where the event will take place, and modified restrictions, as the event is 25 days away.
