When the Republican National Convention begins next week, much of the attention will be on the action inside the Fiserv Forum, but there will also be some action outside the secured perimeter, as protesters have promised to march closer to the convention site to make their voices and their presence heard by Republicans.
Far-left groups taking to the streets have been galvanized by Israel’s war with Hamas, which began after the terrorist group launched major attacks in Israel, and the prospect of former President Donald Trump formally winning the Republican nomination for a third time has added fuel to the fire as people flock to Milwaukee.
“We have zero tolerance for anything when it comes to destruction or violence.”
Marching to the RNCThe organization spearheading the protests described it as a “point of unity” to “stop the Republican Party’s racist and reactionary policies.”
- Fight the Republican Party’s racist and reactionary policies.
- Protect women’s, LGBTQ, and reproductive rights.
- Protect and expand immigrant rights.
- Peace, justice and fairness for all.
- Stand with Palestine.
Speakers and activists from the group are also likely to voice opposition to Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s policy agenda for a second term for the Trump administration, which has become a focal point for Democrats who must confront President Joe Biden’s health problems and the question of whether he will remain in office.
A group of protesters has filed a lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee over their right to get as close as possible to the Republican National Convention. American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsintried to move the parade route through a pedestrian-protected area closer to Fiserv Forum, but a federal judge ruled they couldn’t go through the area.
“We are disappointed with today’s ruling and the lack of an authorized parade route within sight and sound of the convention site. We continue to believe that the City’s failure to act on our client’s permit application, its delay in establishing a protest zone and parade route until weeks before the convention, and its decision to expand the authorized zone to move protesters further away from the convention site stifle free expression and limit the exercise of First Amendment rights,” said Tim Muth, staff attorney for the ACLU of Wisconsin.
Pere Marquette Park was originally not included in the pedestrian safety zone, preventing protesters from rallying too close to the park, but thanks to lobbying by the Republican National Committee, the park is now included in the protected area.
The RNC march will instead meet across the river at nearby Red Arrow Park at 10 a.m. CST, and march just past the security perimeter at 12 p.m. Organizers have promised the march will be peaceful.
“We have zero tolerance for anything when it comes to destruction or violence,” Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said. Wisson“People have a right to freedom of self-expression and as we deal with this issue we will see what is actually done about their actions and their behaviour there.”
Norman will make the final decision regarding Milwaukee police’s use of force during protests.
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