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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A group of activists are suing the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for the release of leaflets seized during a raid shortly before the Republican National Convention.

The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday claims investigators violated the First Amendment rights of the protesters because they haven't been able to distribute those flyers during the convention.

Teresa Nelson of the Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says the lawsuit asks the sheriff to release the flyers in time for them to be distributed Thursday night.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, the ACLU also criticized law enforcement for arresting many protesters who were eventually released without being charged.

The activists also tried to get a state court to order the release of the flyers, but they were turned down.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-04-08 1509CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list