TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ The Tampa City Council has voted 5-to-2 for a temporary ordinance that will create a designated protest area at the Republican National Convention in August.
The Council voted Thursday for the so-called “Event Zone.” It goes to a final vote on May 17.
It’s all part of a package of temporary measures aimed at keeping in line protesters and other groups that will take to the city’s streets during the convention.
Among the measures: an official parade route, all-day permits for protests, and 90-minute time limits on marches.
City attorneys say they tried to address objections from civil libertarians, protest group leaders and City Council members.
The ordinance also eliminates permit fees, creates an appeals process when permits are denied and allows people younger than 18 to apply for permits.
