Free Republic

A federal judge on Thursday struck down rules set for protesters at next month’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Ohio’s branch of the American Civil Liberties Union brought the suit last week against the city of Cleveland, arguing that restrictions on protesters within the “event zone” around Quicken Loans Arena are unconstitutional. Those restrictions would ban certain items, including large backpacks, tape and string, and limit where within the 3.5 square mile zone demonstrators can speak and hold a parade.

A time-lapse video recorded by convention organizers shows the first 36 hours of the arena's transformation — from a few hours after Game 6 ended, to the start of construction. About 250 people will work inside the Q each day to ready the arena for the RNC. The Republican Party typically needs six to eight weeks to convert a space into the RNC convention floor. This year, the GOP only has four weeks — but officials have said they are confident the Q will be ready in time for the convention.