Police to shut down roads starting Friday night
By Associated Press, 1/8/2003 10:45
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) Police have announced plans to close many roads during dueling rallies on Saturday.
A white supremacist group called the World Church of the Creator is expected to call for the expulsion of Somalis. People opposed to the group and its racist message will be holding a counter-rally in support of the city's Somali community.
Police Chief Bill Welch said Tuesday that officers will close Alfred Plourde Parkway and Goddard Road to traffic beginning Friday night. The white supremacist rally will be held in the National Guard building at the intersection of those two roads, and attendees will have to park about a quarter of a mile away.
Many streets surrounding Bates College, site of the counter-rally, will also be closed.
Police said they will conduct random searches of attendees at both rallies and will not allow weapons, cameras or recording equipment, backpacks or bags, picket signs or face masks.
Authorities previously disclosed that about 100 officers will be in Lewiston to maintain order during the rallies.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/008/region/Police_to_shut_down_roads_star:.shtml
This getting crazy.
