The upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is causing controversy as protesters are being restricted from accessing a park near the convention arena. Pere Marquette Park, located just a few blocks from the Fiserv Forum where the convention will take place, has been deemed off-limits to protesters by the Secret Service.
According to officials, only individuals with official credentials, such as delegates and journalists, will be allowed access to Pere Marquette Park during the convention in mid-July. The decision to restrict access to the park was made due to security concerns, as it is located next to the Milwaukee County Historical Society, which will host other official convention activities.
Protesters had been eyeing Pere Marquette Park as a potential gathering place, but the Secret Service has designated two other parks outside of the inner security perimeter for demonstrations. While these parks are farther from the arena, they are still within the outermost security perimeter where vehicles must pass through screening checkpoints.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin has criticized the decision to include Pere Marquette Park within the security perimeter, calling it an “impermissible concession” to the Republican National Committee. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the city on behalf of a protest umbrella group, arguing that the size of the security perimeter limits free speech rights.
As the convention approaches, tensions are rising between protesters and convention organizers over the restrictions on access to Pere Marquette Park. The debate over security versus free speech rights is likely to continue leading up to the event.
