Arrests Threatened Outside GOP Iowa Debate Saturday at Drake University

Occupy protestors planning to demonstrate before the ABC News GOP presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines on Saturday have turned down a "free-speech" zone and could face arrest if they come onto campus property.

The "free-speech" zone is across the street from campus, Occupy organizer Danielle Ryan told Patch.

Ryan said demonstrators plan to dress as circus performers to go with a protest theme that, in her description, the Republican candidates are a bunch of clowns.

The group plans to meet at the Drake Diner parking lot at 5 p.m. From there, they will march to University Avenue and march in a square on the public sidewalks and crosswalks on University Avenue in front of Sheslow Auditorium, where the debate is being held, Ryan said.

However, Ryan said police have warned the group that they will be arrested if they come onto university property.

The event begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Patch will have live coverage of the presidential debate before, during and after the event.