Deal reached over free speech rights in parks

DETROIT (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan says it has reached an agreement with Detroit on interim rules to safeguard free-speech in public parks.

The ACLU says the agreement does not dismiss a lawsuit it filed in January against a private security company and nonprofit that manages Campus Martius park.

The suit maintains the guard asked members of an anti-foreclosure group to leave the downtown park as they petitioned against cuts to city pensions.

It says members of an anti-war group also were prohibited from marching through the park.

Among other things, the ACLU says the interim rules allow for groups of up to 25 to demonstrate, petition or leaflet in Campus Martius without a permit.