MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Ramsey County District Court was the scene of the latest defeat on Tuesday for a group of protesters who want more and better space outside the Republican National Convention next week.

Judge Kathleen Gearin wrote that the area along West Seventh Street east of the Xcel Energy Center compares favorably with public space set up for other national political conventions, and that it affords more space than what's offered at this year's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

"Is the present area ideal? No," Gearin wrote. "Is it constitutionally adequate in light of all the relevant circumstances? Yes."

Several lawsuits had claimed that the area restricts free speech because it confines demonstrators to a single, confined area.

"We think it is the wrong result," said Teresa Nelson, attorney for the ACLU of Minnesota. "We think the city is putting logistics above the First Amendment."