BOSTON -- Boston police said Friday that they're doing everything they can to prepare for possible protests surrounding an upcoming biotech conference.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that more than 20,000 people are expected to attend the four-day conference that kicks off in South Boston on Sunday.

"We will not allow violence or damage to property. We will allow everyone to demonstrate peacefully and lawfully at any place in the city," Boston Police Department Superintendent Robert Dunford said.

Police have been planning the largest uniform presence since the summer of 2004. As workers sent up the BIO 2007 convention, grassroots protesters said that security fears are overblown.

"Unfortunately with the collaboration with some of the media, (it) played a role of creating false expectations of violence," said Brian Tokar, of BioJustice Boston.

Four groups have registered with the police to protest issues ranging from animal rights, genetically modified food, biotechnology, to Boston University's Level 4 lab that is being built in the South End.

"The problem is that the oversight of these industries has been so weakened that these companies can make money, essentially, by printing counterfeit knowledge," said Dr. John Abramson, of BioJustice Boston.

Thousands are expected to attend.

"They are going to spend several days trying to figure out how to cure diseases that have never been cured before. They are going to figure out how to feed people who have never been fed before. They are going to figure out how to make new products and energy sources that don't pollute the environment. That's pretty noble work," said Jim Greenwood, of BIO 2007.