The coming Republican National Convention is expected to attract approximately 45,000 politicians, guests and visitors to Philadelphia.
But that doesn't include the estimated thousands of protesters that have also indicated they will turn out for the RNC -- and spend July 31 to August 4 demonstrating in Philadelphia.
Police have planned for activists by allotting them a protest space in FDR park, right outside of Veterans Stadium in South Philadelphia.
Those who plan on demonstrating, however, aren't happy with those arrangements, and have said that they won't confine themselves to this space.
"It would be a complete mockery of democracy if we were to participate in that," Amy Kwasnicki, an organizer with the Philadelphia Direct Action Group, said of the space set aside for protests. "It's guaranteed to not be seen by the Republicans."
Councilman David Cohen also criticized this space delegation.
"I don't think you provide any place for protesters," he said. "Protesters, by the very nature of protesting, are not supposed to be put on a platform in a limited area. That's the nature a protest."
And while Kwasnicki said the protesters are likely to turn to the streets of Philadelphia to make their voices heard, she expressed concern over the possible police reaction to activism in the streets.
"The police have made it very clear that if anyone goes out in the streets they will be arrested," she said.
According to Sargeant Roland Lee, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, the police remains staunchly committed to the designated protest area but has not promised to arrest those who move to the streets.
"We would like everyone to be in the designated area," he said. "Can it be a problem? Yes it can be. And then we have to deal with it accordingly."
Lee also noted that his department had no intention to resort to violent tactics as many protesters claim the police will.
"We have no plans to deal with any protesters with excessive force," he explained, adding that the Philadelphia police were going to be under increased scrutiny after police beat a criminal suspect and shot a man to death in unrelated incidents in the past week.
But Kwasnicki -- whose group, PDAG, is providing infrastructure and supplies for the many protesters expected to descend on Philadelphia -- said she remained worried about the use of violence on the part of police.
"We have never pretended to be anything but nonviolent," she said. "They're the ones that have made it clear that it will turn violent."
And Cohen also expressed concern about the possibility of intense interactions between activists and the police.
"I am very concerned and hope deeply that anybody who comes into contact with demonstrators is well-trained to deal with provocative actions," he said. "And there is provocation just by the fact that there is demonstration."
"We are being put to the test," he added. "We have to show we respect the rights of democracy."
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