Where does the city of Tampa expect protesters to stay while in town for the Republican National Convention?
The question came approximately halfway thru a seminar hosted by the Florida ACLU on Tuesday night inside the Reeves theater on the University of Tampa campus. It was the civil liberties organization's third forum held between the city's police department, legal staff and the public about what the rules are regarding protesting at the convention taking place later this month.
Assistant Police Chief John Bennett said that he has been monitoring websites that address that question, with some motel or hostel rates going for as low as $20 a night. He suggested that's where those with limited funds should look for if they intend to come to Tampa later this month.
The question of allowing the city to have protesters take access to a city park to camp in was floated earlier this year, particularly by former City Councilman John Dingfelder when he was working with the local ACLU.
As everybody learned during the Occupy Tampa situation at Curtis Hixon Park, camping overnight is forbidden in the city's public parks. But when asked earlier about the idea, Mayor Bob Buckhorn did not immediately dismiss it. But his Police Department did, shortly after the idea began being circulated.
Bennett explained that the city did not want to be held liable for anybody who might be sexually molested or hit by lightning while sleeping under the stars.
Bennett said that he had spoken extensively with Dingfelder about this issue, but for him, "it came down to safety."
There already is an encampment organizers have labeled "Romneyville" that exists behind the Army-Navy Surplus Store on North Tampa Road that has been created for convention protesters to stay. Though there currently are only about 12 tents in the area, organizers say there is enough space for 300 tents which they say they are prepared for by the time the convention begins.
Organizers signed a contract with the land's owner, and say they will depart after the convention ends.
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2012.