Judge denies RNC protesters' request

MINNEAPOLIS, July 17 (UPI) -- A Minneapolis judge ruled against a group's request to alter the terms of a permit for an antiwar demonstration at the Republican National Convention.

U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen denied nearly every point argued by lawyers for the protesters, who wanted to hold their march closer to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., where the convention is being held, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Wednesday.

Protesters also wanted to hold the march at a later hour, putting them in view of delegates showing up for a Sept. 1 evening session, the newspaper said.

The protest group is preparing to talk with attorneys in coming days and it is "very likely" it will appeal the ruling, spokeswoman Katrina Plotz said.