A defiant Democratic Alliance (DA) will “continue fighting for change in Nelson Mandela Bay” with a “reaction press conference” on the steps of the Port Elizabeth City Hall it was refused permission to protest outside on Thursday. The party said on Wednesday that its application to hold a mass protest against alleged corruption by President Jacob Zuma and the African National Congress was turned down by the metro.The DA’s Athol Trollip said that early last week the DA had submitted an application to hold a protest on Vuyisile Mini Square in front of City Hall‚ which was rejected on Tuesday.An alternative venue‚ the Donkin Reserve‚ was proposed by the DA but this was also rejected by the municipality for security reasons‚ the party's mayoral candidate added.Thursday will see the Trollip meet with the “DA metro and caucus leadership in front of PE's City Hall to hold a reaction press conference”..“This protest‚ together with the DA mass march for change in Johannesburg on Friday‚ forms part of the DA mass action in defence of the Constitution‚” said Trollip.Trollip asserted that “Danny Jordaan’s ANC-led municipality is protecting Zuma from public action against his corruption and constitutional abuse”.“The spurious reason given is that the DA protest would be a security risk‚ during a week when ANC ministers have descended on Nelson Mandela Bay. This is dismissed with the contempt it deserves.“Using this spurious reason is an abuse of state security protocol‚ and shows how Mayor Jordaan will protect Jacob Zuma and the ANC at all costs‚” Trollip said.He said on Friday‚ the DA would lead a mass march through Johannesburg to the Constitutional Court‚ led by DA Leader Mmusi Maimane‚ for change and in defence of the Constitution.“This mass action is clearly an inconvenient threat to the ANC and the DA will not be deterred.“The DA is set on winning Nelson Mandela Bay‚ Johannesburg and Tshwane to deliver better services‚ stop ANC corruption and create jobs‚” Trollip stated.Acting city manager Johann Mettler confirmed that the march was denied for security reasons.He said other institutions that had applied to stage a march on Thursday were also denied their requests."Next week is fine‚ but this week it's difficult."I have advised the DA that the act does make provision for them to appeal the decision with a magistrate in terms of the Gatherings Act‚" Mettler said.Zuma is expected to arrive in the Bay on Thursday and security will thus be strengthened in the lead-up to Saturday's ANC manifesto launch.Also on Wednesday‚ a giant billboard branded in ANC colours was erected in Port Elizabeth’s Kempston Road.The billboard states: “Danny Jordaan proudly brought to you by Jacob Zuma”.Trollip’s spokesman Kristoff Adelbert said he was not sure if it was erected by the DA as the party’s marketing was handled by the national office.Jordaan’s chief of staff Mlungisi Ncame said he had asked for the billboard to be removed...