FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK --The New York Civil Liberties Union announced today that it will formally open its ""Protecting Protest"" Storefront this week just two blocks from Madison Square Garden, the location of the upcoming Republican National Convention.  The Storefront, at 520 Eighth Avenue (between 36^th and 37^th Streets) will serve as the NYCLU base of operations for monitoring protest activity during the convention. 

""This location will be important for those who will witness democracy in action outside the Garden,"" said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the NYCLU. ""As thousands of demonstrators take to the streets in peaceful protest, the NYCLU will be in constant negotiation with police to assure that all problems are immediately resolved.""

A media briefing at the Storefront will take place Thursday, July 29^th at 2:30 p.m. with Lieberman and Chris Dunn, NYCLU's Associate Legal Director, who will provide an overview of planned activities for the Republican National Convention.

In addition to housing the NYCLU ""Protecting Protest"" office, the Storefront will serve as a meeting place for volunteers.  NYCLU will host ""Know Your Rights"" trainings and media briefings.  The office will also serve as the location for protest participants to submit information about policing tactics deployed at demonstrations.  Leaflets detailing the rights of protesters will also be provided to the public.

During the week of the convention, the NYCLU will provide technical resources at the Storefront for members of the media who wish to file news reports.  The NYCLU asks that those who are considering using the Storefront for filing purposes to contact NYCLU's communications office as soon as possible.