[secretagent]

" Does the first amendment of the federal constitution prohibit cities from requiring permits for rallies?"

If the permit process interferes with the right of free assembly, yes.

Do you mean the First Amendment amplified by the Fourteenth? The First Amendment, by itself, only restrains the federal government:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

[Dan Evans]

Do you mean the First Amendment amplified by the Fourteenth?

Yes. But I would rather that the 14th amendment were repealed because it gives way too much power to the federal government. We have state constitutions with their own bill of rights.