Anti-abortion groups say they’ll hold prayer vigils around Charlotte during September’s convention.

“We want to have a major public presence here on the streets of Charlotte, challenging President (Barack) Obama to embrace human rights and justice for all, and to stand for life and for religious freedom,” said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C.

On Friday, Mahoney was in Charlotte to announce the protests – which he said will include local and national groups – and to check on permits.

“President Obama, in our opinion, has become the most pro-abortion president in American history,” he said.

Mahoney said plans are under way for a vigil in front of Planned Parenthood on Albemarle Road on Sept. 1. On Aug. 31, organizers plan a vigil in front of Time Warner Cable Arena. Celeste Smith

Second-place finisher wants convention delegates

Tennessee attorney John Wolfe lost to Presiden t Obama in last month’s Democratic presidential primary in Arkansas. But he did poll 42 percent – enough, in his view, to at least get some convention delegates.

But the state party in the Razorback State won’t award him any, so Wolfe is suing. The Arkansas Democratic Party says that Wolfe failed to fill out two of three required forms.

But Wolfe wasn’t buying it.

“They took the money,” Wolfe said, referring to his $2,500 filing fee. “Now that President Obama didn’t do so well, they want to give him 100 percent of the delegates when John Wolfe is entitled to 42 percent of them because of the 68,000 votes I got.” Tim Funk

Politico: Cuomo wanted union heads off delegation

Politico is reporting that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently tried to keep the heads of four major public sector unions in his state off the list of at-large delegates going to Charlotte.

Then, after a lot of negotiating, the governor added three of them to the list.

Cuomo has had run-ins with the public sector unions since his 2010 election, Politico said. The issue: Cuomo’s pension reform plan.

In New York, the Democratic governor ultimately picks the state’s at-large delegates.

Son of former N.Y. Gov. Mario Cuomo, the younger Cuomo is on many lists as a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2016. He’s planning to be in Charlotte. Tim Funk

Sorting out reporters, protesters at issue in Florida

The Tampa Bay Times reports journalists and police are trying to work out ground rules for reporters covering the Republican National Convention at the end of August.

Perhaps easier said than done?

The story notes how Tampa police are training to avoid mass arrests of protesters, whenever possible. But journalists could be included if sweeping arrests happen.

And a Tampa police spokeswoman said if police need to clear an area, reporters and photographers will have to leave, too – a strategy not likely to sit well with many of the 15,000 journalists expected at the convention. Celeste Smith

Foxx boosts convention’s legacy, gets eggplant tips

Mayor Anthony Foxx ended a week of promoting his convention “legacy” efforts by taking tips on how to plant eggplant.

It was part of Friday’s launch of a garden project at Charlotte Community Health Clinic on Farmingdale Drive.

Organizers said the garden will promote exercise and healthy eating for patients of the east Charlotte clinic.

That fits in with Foxx’s healthy families initiative, one of four legacy projects inspired by having the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. The mayor also is focusing on youth employment, promoting a diverse economy and building a sustainable community.

Earlier in the week, Foxx promoted exercise at Piedmont Middle School, where students performed a flash-mob dance. .

At the garden event, Foxx received a Health Clinic T-shirt and gardening gloves to plant the first veggies in the raised garden beds behind the clinic.

“When we got the convention, a lot of people were skeptical that it was a political event and nothing more,” Foxx said. “Today, what goes into the ground will be here for a very long time.” Celeste Smith

Coming up this week

•  Tuesday: Visiting media get a walk-through of Time Warner Cable Arena, Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

•  Wednesday: “Access to America” series features a discussion on how to build a more inclusive economy. Mark Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, will participate. Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree will moderate. Free. Registration begins 6 p.m. at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St.

•  Thursday: Businesses can learn about subcontracting opportunities with transportation services.

Event runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Drive, in the University Ballroom.

Register by Monday at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3584737045.

Subcontractors must be registered with the convention vendor directory at www.charlottein2012.com. Celeste Smith