Judge: Public view of convention adequate

RNC banner
The banner outside the Xcel Center announces the arrival of the Republican National Convention in downtown St. Paul
MPR photo/Steve Mullis

Ramsey County District Court was the scene of the latest defeat for a group of protesters who want more and better space outside the Republican National Convention next week.

Judge Kathleen Gearin wrote that the area along West Seventh Street east of the Xcel Energy Center compares favorably with public space set up for other national political conventions. And she says it affords more space than what's offered at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The judge wrote that the area is "constitutionally adequate."

Several lawsuits have claimed that the area restricts free speech because it confines demonstrators to a single area. Previous challenges were turned back in federal court, and St. Paul officials contended that demonstrators were simply hoping for a better outcome in state court.

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