Charlotte votes on rules making DNC protests harder

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — Charlotte leaders are looking at rules to restrict political demonstrations ahead of this year’s Democratic National Convention.

The city council in North Carolina’s largest city plans to vote Monday on changing ordinances to give officials a broader leeway to decide what is appropriate for protests or parades.

Another law would make it illegal to camp on public property, forcing Occupy Charlotte members to pack up and leave its site in front of the old city hall that it has called home for months.

Opponents of the ordinances say Charlotte city council’s approval would stop people from voicing their concerns in front of a world audience as they have a right to do.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the ordinances would give police too much leeway.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)