Charlotte getting ready for Democratic Convention

Good to know Charlotte is gonna take nothing from these occupy punks. Now the question is why didn't they do this before the Dems made it down.

Charlotte City Council OKs expanding police power during DNC

Rules changes also outlaw camps on city land, sparking outcry.

In preparation for the Democratic National Convention, the Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 Monday night to approve new ordinances that will give police more power to stop and search people during the convention.

In addition, the new rules will prohibit camping on city property, a change that will keep Occupy Charlotte protesters from sleeping on the lawn at old City Hall.

The vote was met with shouts of "Shame!" from a packed council chamber, which prompted most of the council and Mayor Anthony Foxx to temporarily leave the dais. Protesters upset at the vote continued to shout chants, such as "Evict us, we multiply ... Occupy will never die," in the lobby of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center...

...The city has said the changes protect the First Amendment, though the American Civil Liberties Union has said some of the measures go too far, including giving the police power to arrest people carrying backpacks, satchels or coolers if they believe the items are being used to carry weapons.

Large protests - and some violence - have been common at political conventions, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say they are trying to ensure they have enough power to keep people and property safe...

...Michael J. Zytkow, who was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge during the public hearing for the ordinances two weeks ago, said Charlotteans will be "harassed for expressing themselves." He added the ordinances would "criminalize homelessness" because it will be illegal to sleep on city property...

...Since the fall, protesters have been staying on the old City Hall lawn, pitching tents and even creating a makeshift kitchen.

Under the new rules, protesters can stay on the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But they won't be allowed to sleep, or create any semi-permanent structures used for cooking food, sleeping or other living arrangements...

...People won't be allowed to carry items such as helmets and body armor; noxious substances; barricades, locks; pipes; mace or pepper spray; or other weapons.

In addition, the new ordinance prohibits people from carrying backpacks, satchels or coolers if police believe they are being used to carry weapons.

"They are frequently used to carry rocks and weapons," said CMPD Deputy Chief Harold Medlock, who is coordinating the police department's DNC response.

Medlock said during the 2008 DNC in Denver, some protesters would enter portable toilets and fill backpacks with feces, which were thrown at police...

Hopefully they keep these after the convention. These punks needed to be handled.