Lawsuit Seeks Protest Rights at Bloomberg's Home

NEW YORK (AP) -- A Manhattan lawsuit claims the city is discriminating when it decides who gets to protest directly in front of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's residence.

The lawsuit was brought in federal court in Manhattan Tuesday by several people who want to go to the public sidewalk outside Bloomberg's 79th Street townhouse to protest the expansion of charter schools.

City attorney Gabriel Taussig said the city offered protesters a "lawful and appropriate accommodation" on the sidewalk across the street from the mayor's residence. He said that enabled safety and necessary access to continue at the mayor's residence.

The lawsuit said other groups such as people protesting the closing of firehouses have been allowed to protest on the sidewalk next to Bloomberg's townhouse.