MILWAUKEE— With the Republican National Convention (RNC) rapidly approaching the city of Milwaukee took action on a number of ordinances.

The Milwaukee Common Council voted on the measures Tuesday including one tied to planned demonstrations.

What You Need To Know

  • The Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously on the proposed ordinances for protests and marches for the RNC

  • The new ordinances would apply during the convention and create two zones where protests can occur. 

  • These ordinances raise concerns for protest organizers who said they felt the decision should have allowed for more public comment.

  • It also said there will be an official parade route and speakers’ platform outside of the event and anyone hoping to use them must register with the city first and there will be time restrictions.

It voted unanimously on the proposed ordinances for protests and marches for the RNC.

The new ordinances would apply during the convention and create two zones where protests can occur. One of the locations is on a stage, the other is along a parade or marching route.

These ordinances raise concerns for protest organizers who said they felt the decision should have allowed for more public comment.

“Some of our concerns is with all of these changes to the permitting process that things might get convoluted or people from outside the city might get more priority in terms of signing up for permits,” Co-Chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC, Omar Flores said.

Flores is one of many organizers seeking permits ahead of the event.

He helped lead the march on the Democratic National Convention and the march on the Republican debate and didn’t have these types of ordinances in place then.

Flores said their group has been planning this march for the past two years and feels there should have been more consideration for passing these ordinances.

“We don’t really have an idea as to where they are going to be allowing us to speak or where their planned parade route,” said Flores. “Our demand from the very start is to be able to be within sight and sound of the convention center during the RNC.”

Within the ordinance, it says any person violating any provision can be fined no more than 500 dollars.

It also said there will be an official parade route and speakers’ platform outside of the event and anyone hoping to use them must register with the city first and there will be time restrictions.

There will also be no motorized vehicles and bicycles allowed in any parades or marches. Flores said these obstacles won’t stop their group.

With four months to go before tens of thousands make their way to Milwaukee, protest organizers and the city will have to iron out details ahead of the event.

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