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Protesters argue case for inaugural demonstrations

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorneys for groups planning loud and energetic protests during Saturday's presidential inauguration argued their case Thursday for greater access to the area where the events are to take place.

They were opposed by the U.S. Park Service, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Secret Service, who argued that protesters have already been issued permits to exercise their First Amendment rights.

The International Action Center, a protester umbrella group based in New York, asked U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler to grant injunctive relief from what it called "impermissibly vague" regulations. The regulations apply to security checkpoints around the National Mall area and the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route -- a first for a presidential inauguration.

In addition, protesters want permission to bring more sophisticated -- and louder -- sound systems into the area. Right now regulations permit only bullhorns.

And, the protesters said, they believe they have the only valid permit to occupy Freedom Plaza, near the White House, during the event. They argued in court that the Park Service broke its own regulations by filing an application on behalf of the Presidential Inaugural Committee more than one year in advance.

In documents filed with the court, Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Craig Lawrence argued against any further permits for the protesters, writing that "They have been granted a permit to engage in their demonstrations. The unstated premise of their argument appears to be an assertion that they have a First Amendment right to demonstrate whenever, wherever, and however they desire. But the Supreme Court has consistently rejected that argument."

Violent protests in Seattle in 1999 and widespread civil disobedience in Washington, D.C. last year appear to have influenced the Secret Service decision to heighten security for the Inaugural.

Kevin Greba, Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations at the U.S. Secret Service, declared in a sworn statement "In developing the security plan, the Secret Service considered past events such as previous assassination attempts, the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, the bombing at (the) Atlanta Olympics, the protests during the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle, the protests surrounding International Monetary Fund Conference in Washington, D.C.," among others.

Judge Kessler has promised a ruling by 10 a.m. Friday. The party that loses will likely be seeking an immediate appeal.

CNN Producer Brad Wright and Correspondent Kate Snow contributed to this report


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Thursday, January 18, 2001


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