Groups to Protest at Democratic Convention in NC

Several groups, including labor organizations and those opposing President Barack Obama's positions on various issues, plan to demonstrate outside the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in the coming days.

But the sweeping security already in place throughout Charlotte's central business district could find protesters running afoul of the law by carrying water bottles, hair spray, socks or magic markers.

It would take a strict reading of the rules for someone to be arrested simply for possessing one of those items, but the possibility exists — which worries protesters and free speech advocates who fear authorities could violate people's constitutional rights.

The changes to city ordinances adopted earlier this year for "extraordinary events" prohibit a long list of actions and items, including carrying a backpack with the intent to conceal any of the banned items.

Charlotte City Attorney Robert Hagemann said police officers will enforce the ordinances fairly to protect public safety.

On Sunday, protesters will take part in the March on Wall Street South — a demonstration that will focus on economic inequality, social injustice and other issues. It will kick off a week of protests and rallies by groups such as:

Occupy Wall Street — A protest movement that began last year and claims that corporations have undue influence over the U.S. government, its activities have fizzled somewhat in 2012. The nationwide movement has issued a call for protesters for the Democratic convention in Charlotte, where an Occupy Charlotte tent city was disbanded last winter.

AFL-CIO —The largest federation of labor unions in the United States, it is hoping to put a spotlight on worker issues, especially those specific to North Carolina. The state has the lowest percentage of unionized workers in the United States. The group is planning a massive canvassing effort this fall in all 50 states to turn out voters for Obama.

Southern Workers Assembly — A coalition of labor groups fighting for collective bargaining and other labor issues in the South, it plans to have a major presence in the city to highlight the impact of anti-union laws in the South.

Farm Labor Organizing Committee — The farm workers' union says it will use the national attention around the convention to highlight issues facing farm workers and other North Carolina workers.

No Papers No Fear — A coalition of immigrant-rights advocates, it has organized UndocuBus — a group of 40 undocumented people that has been traveling by bus from Arizona to Charlotte. The bus has been making stops along the way to highlight problems facing the immigrant community.

Greenpeace — An international environmental group, it has been critical of Charlotte-based Duke Energy and its CEO Jim Rogers. The group claims Duke's coal fired plants have contributed to global warming.

North Carolina Values Coalition — An anti-abortion group that supports North Carolina's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, it is holding a Rally for Marriage and Religious Liberty on Thursday — the same day President Barack Obama makes his acceptance speech at Bank of America Stadium.