U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart on Wednesday ruled the county cannot require 30-day advance protest permits for small, spontaneous demonstrations on the plaza of Abravanel Hall, such as two in December.

On Dec. 7, two members of the Utah Animal Rights Coalition (UARC) distributed leaflets and showed a video as concert-goers exited at 10 p.m. They were told they could not demonstrate on the adjoining public sidewalk or within one block of the building.

On Dec. 10, six members gathered at 7:45 p.m. to pass out leaflets and show a video as concert-goers entered. They were threatened with arrest because they did not have a protest permit.

Stewart said Wednesday the county's permit policy for the plaza was unconstitutional for such a small group.

"The 30-day advance notice is too long and unreasonable," wrote Stewart in his ruling. "The requirement for a permit for a one, two, or even six-person demonstration is unreasonable."

The judge ordered the county to pay an unspecified amount of damages. Civil rights attorney Brian Barnard, who represented the UARC members in the case, said attorneys will work to agree on an amount out of court.

Earlier in the case, the county settled claims related to the Dec. 7 incident by paying $500 to each demonstrator and $10,000 in attorney fees, said Barnard.

Since the settlement, the county has added an exception allowing up to four people to demonstrate on the plaza without a permit.