After day-long meeting, RNC protesters, city of Milwaukee unable to reach agreement over lawsuit

A fight for where protesters can voice their opinions during the July Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee continues after protesters and the city met for hours in federal court Monday, June 17, 2024.

The Coalition to March on the RNC and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are suing the city over where demonstrators can protest.

The lawsuit argues that Milwaukee’s ordinances governing parades and protests violate the First Amendment by limiting the locations where protesters can be.

At a news conference Monday representatives from The Coalition to March on the RNC said the mediation ended without an agreement.

“It was just something that we absolutely could not agree to whatsoever. It was honestly insulting. Like we almost walked out of the room,” Omar Flores, a spokesperson for the group, said.

Flores said the group offered to alter their planned march route.

“While we provided flexibility to stay outside of the credentialed zone, an agreement still could not be found even after our flexibility,” Flores said.

Flores said the coalition plans to move forward with the lawsuit and their march.

“We are going to assert our First Amendment rights, whether or not that we have their permission,” Flores said.

“Are you prepared for the consequences of that?” WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys asked.

“We most definitely are. And it’s really unfortunate, right? Because what the city is telling us is that even if you play by the rules, even if that you follow all of their procedures that they put forth, even the shifted goalposts, that you still won’t be able to march on the route that you want to. Even trying to go about this the proper way, they will still try to criminalize us,” Flores said.

A preliminary security zone released by the city of Milwaukee stretches from Clybourn to Sixth to Cherry to Water streets. The United States Secret Service will create another smaller, secure zone around Fiserv Forum and the Baird Center. That area has not been announced.

“The security plan for the 2024 Republican National Convention, to include the security perimeter, is still in development,” said Secret Service Spokesperson Alexi Worley.

“Once that plan is finalized, a security map will be released to the public containing information on road closures, parking restrictions, and more.”

“It’s like the demonstrators want to be on stage at Fiserv Forum, and the RNC would rather they be on the moon,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “We need to strike a balance and have a place that’s reasonable. We’ll make a decision on that, we’re listening to everybody, to every single person, every single entity out there. But that decision is yet to be made.”

The city and ACLU both declined to comment specifically on the negotiations.

On Saturday, June 15, protesters marched the proposed route, one month before the beginning of the RNC.

“We intend on marching within sight and sound, and [we’re] planning a really big march for July 15,” said Alan Chavoya, Coalition to March on the RNC.