Before a Protest or Demonstration make sure …
15 persons or less:
Give the chief of police of the City of Columbus a written notice at least 5 hours prior to the demonstration. Written notice should include:
- Name of Organization
- Names of the places of business or public facilities
- Hours that demonstrating will be conducted
More than 15 persons:
- Obtain a permit from the Chief of Police at least 10 days beforehand (Application available online at link below).
- Application shall include:
- Name, address & phone number of the persons seeking to demonstrate, or
- Name, address & phone number of the headquarters of the organization, and
- Name, address & phone number of the authorized/responsible heads of the organization;
- Date of the demonstration;
- Location of the demonstration;
- Approximate number of persons;
- Hours of demonstration;
- Time at which persons will begin to assemble;
- The interval of space, if any, to be maintained between units of the demonstration;
- If the demonstration is being held on behalf of any person or organization other than the applicant, a written communication from that person or organization authorizing such must be filed;
- Any additional information reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should issue.
Late applications – where good cause shown, chief of police has authority to consider.
- Chief of Police SHALL issue a permit if they find that:
- The conduct of the demonstrating will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its location or route;
- A prior application or a permit for the same time/place has not been made or if made, would reasonably allow multiple occupancy of a particular area; and
- It reasonably appears that the demonstration will not present a clear and present danger to the public health or safety.
- Chief of Police shall act upon the application w/in 5 days of filing. If the chief denies the application, he shall mail notice of the reason for denial within 5 days. So, make sure to file the application as far in advance as possible!!!
- If denied, you have a right to appeal the denial to the Columbus City Council, which shall be taken within 10 days after notice.
- If denied, the chief of police shall be required to tender a permit for picketing or demonstration on a date, at a location, at a time, or over a route different from that named by the applicant. Applicant has 5 days to file a written notice of acceptance with the chief of police.
- Demonstrators must comply with all permit directions and conditions and with all applicable laws and ordinances.
- The leader of the picketing or demonstration shall carry the permit upon his or her person during the conduct of the event.
- The chief of police can revoke a permit for picketing or demonstration upon violation of permit conditions.
CPD Contact Information:
Columbus Police Department
P.O. Box 1866 | 510 Tenth Street
Columbus, Georgia 31901-1866 706-653-3100
S. Mathis – Chief of Police
J. Dent-Fitzpatrick – Assistant Chief
D. Kennedy – Assistant Chief