Public works committee reviews RNC demonstration permit process, community members weigh in

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Milwaukee Public Works Committee reviewed an ordinance regarding demonstrating during the Republican National Convention (RNC) as one group shared their concerns over the process.

On Monday, Omar Flores, representing the Coalition to March on the RNC, made the organization's stance on a special event ordinance for the RNC clear to the Public Works Committee.

"We want to get a permit. We want to go about this the way the city deems is okay, but we also want to be within sight and sound," Flores said.

"If this is not within sight and sound, honestly, we're just going to march without a permit."

Flores said that the demonstration area needs to be within earshot of the convention.

"We've signed a retainer with the ACLU about it. We don't want to see the city go through litigation over this," he told committee members.

A proposed amendment to the ordinance would have allowed Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman to revoke or reject permits that give people access to a parade route and a speaker's platform during the RNC based on violent behavior. This was a measure Flores said would cause more harm than good.

"Almost always what creates a powder keg of a situation is when police come into contact with completely peaceful protestors," he said.

"If not having a permit increases the chance of that type of police response happening, this ordinance could be creating a dangerous situation for the City of Milwaukee."

After a closed session, the committee decided to give the power to the Department of Public Works Commissioner instead of the chief of police and to change the hours of protest to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. before passing the ordinance and sending it to the Milwaukee Common Council for approval on Tuesday.

"If groups have issues that they wish to seek legal review, I welcome it. I have no objection to that, but we have to pass this before a legal review is even appropriate," District 4 Alderman Bob Bauman said.

If the common council approves the ordinance, the city said they will have the permit registration web page up and running within a week.