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Demonstrations and Protests

#DNCinPHL forecast: Excessive heat and storms

USA TODAY

PHILADELPHIA — Officials here have a message for the thousands of protesters expected to descend on the city in the next week during the Democratic National Convention: take precautions for extreme heat and thunderstorms.

An excessive heat warning went into effect for the area at 11 a.m.  Saturday and is expected to continue until 6 p.m. Monday. The city's Health Department predicted the heat index values for Saturday to be 100 and rise to 105 on Monday. Hot temperatures will continue next week, with little relief overnight.

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For the safety of demonstrators during the DNC, the city announced two medic tents, two misting tents and bottled water available in FDR Park. Medics will also be assigned to marches, and the city is asking demonstrators to request a permit to help ensure adequate medical staff on hand.

Along Broad Street, demonstrators will find fire hydrant sprinkler caps and bottled water pallets. According to a news release, the city is not granting permits for camping during the DNC, and demonstrators are highly encouraged not to camp due to safety threats caused by extreme heat and expected thunderstorms.

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Expect heavy security at DNC in Philadelphia

Thunderstorms are possible on Monday, as well as later in the week. If that occurs, the city said safety personnel will direct demonstrators to the nearest sheltered area until the storms pass.

The city of Philadelphia is projecting 35,000 to 50,000 demonstrators will gather at a half dozen sanctioned protest sites near the Wells Fargo Center each day of the convention, which opens Monday. A bulk of the permits issued by the city are to groups that indicated they are supporting Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, despite his recent endorsement of presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

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