SALT LAKE CITY?A group planning to protest during the 2002 Winter Games says the city?s inaction on several demonstration permits violates its free speech. The group filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday.

The Utah Animal Right Coalition filed five applications with the city that would have allowed them to demonstrate near downtown Olympic venues during the games.

That was back in March.

The city has neither approved nor denied those applications.

City officials and Olympic planners are working out the details of how to balance public safety and free-speech rights, City Attorney Roger Cutler said.