WATERTOWN, Wis. — The list of protesters and groups who have registered to march and speak at next week’s Republican National Convention includes “Communist Party of China” and “former President Donald J. Trump.” The City of Milwaukee approved all of the applicants without conducting any background checks or verifications.
President Trump’s contact information is listed as “Joe Biden,” and the Chinese Communist Party’s address is given as “Beijing, China.”
If the entry is to be believed, the Chinese Communist Party wants to be in both the parade and at the podium in the early afternoon every day during the congress.
Registrants had to indicate their name, whether they were registering as an individual or a group, their address and contact details, and if they wanted to take part in the parade or speaking platform, the date and time they would like to speak.
They also had to state whether they had been convicted of a felony within the past seven years, agree to abide by protest regulations, and attest to the truthfulness of any statements they made.
Only one participant, identifying himself as Donald J. Trump, checked the box saying he “does not agree” to abide by the protest restrictions.
Of the 140 applicants, only one, Maria Pérez, answered “yes” to the felony question, which included, “In the past seven years, have you or anyone from your group or organization been convicted of committing an act of violence or vandalism related to a past crime?” [sic] Parades and other public events [remainder unavailable].”
Perez did not disclose his affiliation or address.
The Washington Post previously reported that a group of Republican National Convention protesters will be holding a “bail fund charity” for “freedom fighters” this Sunday, the day before the event begins.
Group registrants were not required to indicate the number of people participating in the parade, and no limit was placed on the number.
Asked whether the city knew whether CCP registrations were legitimate, Jeff Fleming, director of communications and public engagement for the Milwaukee mayor’s office, told The Washington Post, “We don’t question applicants and no one has been turned down.”
Fleming also confirmed that the city has not asked how many people will be attending the parade or estimated the size of the protest: “Our team does not have the ability to determine the size of the demonstration based on the number of attendees.”
A CBS reporter in Milwaukee is also on the list, presumably testing how the application and approval process works.
The list also includes Republican groups, some of which have said they plan to stage counter-protests against the protesters.
Milwaukee Police Department Released Friday’s rules of engagement included the use of pepper spray, tear gas, mass arrests, lethal force, chemical weapons for riot control and impact munitions.
Large-scale use of chemical riot control agents or impact munitions requires permission from the police chief.
