Judge denies permit for 'Occupy the Courts'

A federal judge on Thursday refused to order the government to grant a permit for an Occupy Wall Street-inspired protest of a Supreme Court decision Friday outside the Manhattan federal courthouse.

The "Occupy the Courts" rally, part of a nationwide series of protests at federal courts Friday, was planned to mark the second anniversary of the 2010 Citizens United decision, which eased limits on corporate and large donations in political campaigns.

But the General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings, refused a permit for 200 people to rally outside the Pearl Street entrance of the Manhattan court. It said security needs would conflict with crowds expected for a scheduled citizenship ceremony and a judge's swearing in, according to court filings.

The group said the denial violated its First Amendment rights, but U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan -- sitting in the courthouse that was the site of the proposed protest -- upheld the GSA Thursday afternoon. He said the plaintiffs hadn't shown the space was a traditional public forum. Lawyers for "Occupy the Courts" could not be reached for comment about an appeal. With AP