Washington DC: National Park Service issues new rules on inaugural demonstrations
A Washington Post report begins: The National Park Service yesterday proposed rules that would expand the space for the public and protesters along Pennsylvania Avenue during inaugurations.
The proposals followed a March federal court ruling that the park service had violated the First Amendment by keeping war protesters from the parade for President Bush's second inauguration.
The court said the service allowed event organizers to ensure that the crowd was mostly Bush administration allies.
Under the proposed change, organizers will control 13 percent of Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Park. About 70 percent will be for the public and demonstrators, regardless of their views on a particular administration. -- New Rule for Inaugural Parade - washingtonpost.com