Convention security plan proposed, would set limits on protests

The Republican National Convention could draw up to 15,000 protesters to Tampa from Aug. 27-30, and the city's plan for those demonstrations has been a concern to civil libertarians since before Bob Buckhorn was elected.

At a debate sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times and Bay News 9, Buckhorn was asked how he would balance the rights of citizens to protest during the convention with his responsibilities as mayor to keep downtown Tampa functioning and safe.

"People who want to express themselves need to be given an opportunity,” Buckhorn replied "For me, it's a very fundamental premise: you break the law, you're going to jail. Absent that, you're entitled to say whatever you want to say within reason.”

On March 28, 2012, Buckhorn's administration unveiled a set of proposed protest rules for the convention that reveal more of the city's thinking about how to strike this balance.

Here's the essence of the plan: Facilitate protests in a controlled area near the convention site. Allow parades and rallies in other parts of downtown, too, but require organizers to get permits and set a one-hour time limit. Enact temporary rules to ramp up security in and around downtown.

Buckhorn wants to create the protest zone near the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the site of the convention, though the exact location of the zone has not been identified yet. It would be open 24 hours a day, probably would be fenced, and protesters would be screened to make sure they don't have weapons. But it could also have water, portable toilets and access to a stage and microphone.

And while protesters couldn't camp out there, they could stay and demonstrate as long as they pleased.

Outside the protest zone, which the city is calling a "public viewing area,” it would be a different story.

The city would allow groups of more than 50 to march only on an official parade route and rally only at city parks. And to do so, they would need a city permit. Finally, no parade or rally outside the protest zone could last longer than 60 minutes.

The city also is looking at creating a "Clean Zone” covering downtown, Ybor City, the Channel District, parts of some nearby neighborhoods, plus Harbour Island and Davis Islands. Inside that zone, a variety of items that could be used as weapons would be banned.

Buckhorn said police are training intensely to be ready for trouble without over-reacting.

"It's a high-wire act,” he said. "Will we do everything right? Probably not, but it won't be because we haven't trained and practiced and because we don't go at this with the best of intentions.”

Buckhorn said during the campaign that "people who want to express themselves need to be given an opportunity.” His proposals for doing that are written into an ordinance that's scheduled to go to the Tampa City Council for the first of two votes on April 5. A lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union attorney said the ACLU will address the proposed rules then. There also will be more public discussion on this as the convention approaches and more planning and preparation. Finally, the most important proof of what happens on this promise will take place on the ground in late August.

If ever anything was In the Works, this is it.