How to Hold a Successful Protest
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
Link to Online Permit for Public Demonstrations:
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