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Free-Speech Zone Near DNC Contested

Demonstrators Want To Get Closer To Convention

POSTED: 5:37 pm EDT July 20, 2004
UPDATED: 5:56 pm EDT July 20, 2004

The city of Boston is bracing for the thousands of protesters expected during next week's Democratic National Convention.

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NewsCenter 5's David Boeri reported that at least one group is going to court to try to get closer to the FleetCenter, the site of the four-day event.

Members of the Black Tea Society are upset with the zone that has been created for protesters to demonstrate.

"Marching is marching. You walk down the street. I can't imagine how someone while marching would be doing any kind of civil disobedience, unless they have a new kind of funky step that I never heard of," Black Tea Society member Emma Lang said.

The Black Tea Society, which sees Democrats as collaborators with Republicans, has permits to march, but not near Causeway Street near the FleetCenter.

Officials have created a demonstration zone, which is bordered by double fencing and Jersey barriers. Officials are putting in netting so that the demonstrators will not be able to throw things out of the area.

"If you put people in a confined area, where there is not enough room for them and you put horses in there, and you surround it by an 8-foot fence -- that's a recipe for disaster," Black Tea Society member Elly Guillette said.

The elevated highway is above the zone, and the only exit and entrance is a narrow one at one end of the zone.

"It’s the same in a movie theater, you can end up with a stampede. It is not a safe situation," Lang said.

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