The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump did not stop activists from protesting outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday, where organizers advocating for immigrant and LGBTQ rights, abortion access, and Palestinian liberation gathered to march against the Republicans’ “racist, sexist, bigoted, anti-worker agenda.”
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Protesters chanted “Free Free Free Palestine!” and held signs declaring, “Let Gaza Live” and “Stop Trump & Racist Republicans.”
Many participating in the march were local, with some from nearby Minnesota and Michigan. Some traveled by bus, while other activists came from Florida, New York, and as far as California, including Los Angeles. Between 5,000 and 10,000 were expected to attend. The RNC will take place through July 18, but the coalition is only holding a rally on the first day on Monday.
The convention comes after an assassination attempt over the weekend on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, ended with the death of two people – the gunman and a bystander, according to news reports. Two others were critically injured. The convention is also taking place as a federal judge dismissed the classified documents case against Trump on Monday. Trump has announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his pick for vice president.
“The most visible figurehead of the Republican Party right now is Donald Trump, and we want to be clear we’re marching … against the entire Republican platform,” Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC, told a crowd before the march on Monday. This includes standing against the slashing of funding for DEI initiatives, the militarization of the Southwest border, and those who have supported bombing in Gaza, Flores said.
“We are the face of the real opposition against the Republicans. The Democrats have only been in opposition in word, and we’ve been opposition in action,” said Flores.
On Monday, the U.S. Secret Service said it had “reviewed and strengthened” the convention security plan, according to the Associated Press.
Before Saturday’s shooting, the coalition and the city of Milwaukee had been in a standoff over a protest route being “within sight and sound” of the convention at Fiserv Forum, according to news reports. Activists lost a lawsuit against the city, arguing their free speech rights were violated after city ordinances limited where protesters could demonstrate. On Friday, the coalition announced a “handshake agreement” with the city over their route.
Among those rallying on Monday was Danny Celaya, who carpooled with people from Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids, which has held weekly rallies to shed light on Gaza, including a “Veterans for Palestine” demonstration.
A DACA recipient, Celaya said his activism began under Trump’s presidency and the “attacks that he did onto the immigrant community.” Celaya said they are also advocating to expand immigrant rights.
“We’re out there to have a very joyful march with families, with workers, to show that the community is standing strong against the Republicans’ racist and reactionary attacks,” he said leading up to the march.
Olivia Crull, of the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee, planned to travel by bus with other activists from a host of Twin Cities groups who are pro-immigrant, anti-war, and organizing for police accountability.
The Minnesota Abortion Action Committee emerged after the overturning of Roe. While abortion is legal in Minnesota, Crull said they’re advocating to make abortion more accessible given the rise of “healthcare refugees” coming from states in the Upper Midwest where abortion bans have been enacted.
Amid the anxiety leading up to the rally, Crull said it will be “joyful to be with other people who care for each other and want to see justice happen in this country.”
“I’m anxious every time I go to a protest, to be honest, but we keep each other safe,” Crull said.
