Protest Regulations for Republican National Convention Released by City of Cleveland

CLEVELAND —The City of Cleveland has revealed plans regarding parade routes and permitting, park use, speaker platform regulations and vending for the Republican National Convention, coming to Cleveland in July.

"I can't stress enough that we are prepared for this," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said at the beginning of the press conference.

Regulations and permit requirements were announced by Chief Corporate Counsel Richard Horvath.

Some highlights from the press conference:

Event Zone: The event zone is bordered by West 25th Street on the west side and the Innerbelt bridge on the east and the Lorain Carnegie Bridge to Orange Avenue on the south. Secure zone details have not yet been finalized.

Parade Route: The official parade route during the RNC will begin at the western end of the Lorain Carnegie Bridge approximately 500 feet to the east of West 20th Street. Paraders will be able to march across the bridge in close proximity to the convention complex to Ontario Avenue then turn right on Ontario and proceed on Orange Avenue to an area near E. 9th, where paraders will then be expected to disperse on sidewalks near E. 9th Street or E. 14th Street. Groups will have around 50 minutes to march across the bridge. The only sound amplification allowed on the parade route will be the portable-type sound amplification such as bullhorns or megaphones. The parade route will be for marchers only, no vehicles allowed.

Parade Times: Permits will be available for the following times: 2-4 p.m. on Monday, July 18, and from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the convention. Permits will be issued in one-hour increments.

Park Use: Willard Park and Perk Plaza are the two parks designated for use during the convention. Permits will be required to place any object suck as public art, tables, etc. in these parks during the convention.

Official Speaker's Platform: The Official Speaker's Platform will be on Public Square at the Moses Cleaveland statue aka "Speaker's Corner" on diagrams of the newly designed Public Square. There will be a registration process allowing people to speak in half hour increments from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Permit Acquisition and Registration: Groups and speakers may register to obtain permits and register for a slot at the Official Speaker's Platform using an online process which will go live on May 31st. Registrants are asked to register by July 8th. Groups that have already contacted the city for permits will be able to register beginning in the order that the city received their request.

Prohibited Event Zone Items: There will be a long list of prohibited items, including lumber, explosives, fireworks, drones, coolers, ice chests, ladders, lasers, etc. Exceptions will be made for those that live in the area. Firearms are not on this list.

Vending: There will be three designated vendor zones which will require street vendors such as hotdog vendors to move to one of these zones. Food trucks will be allowed, however, there routes will be altered during the RNC.