‘We will be marching as planned’

MILWAUKEE (AP):

Activists gathered in Milwaukee on Monday for the start of the Republican National Convention (RNC), saying the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump won’t affect their long-standing plans to demonstrate outside the convention site.

A wide range of organisations and activists, numbering in the hundreds, gathered at a downtown park blocks from the Fiserv Forum, in preparation for a street march. The Coalition to March on the RNC, comprised largely of local groups, was protesting for access to abortion rights, for immigrant rights, and against the war in Gaza, among other issues.

Activists carried signs that read “Stand with Palestine”, “We Can No Longer Afford the Rich”, and “Defend and Expand Immigrant Rights”.

Organisers said the rally was on despite the attempt on Trump’s life on Saturday evening during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“We’re going to continue with the march as we planned.” said Omar Flores, a coalition spokesman. “The shooting has nothing to do with us.”

Trump said a bullet pierced his ear during the rally. Images show blood streaming from a wound on the side of his head. A nearby rally participant was fatally shot and two others were critically wounded in the assault, which has prompted widespread calls to evaluate security measures.

US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle issued a statement early Monday morning saying she understands the assassination attempt has led to questions about changes to convention security.

She said the Secret Service and other law-enforcement agencies have “reviewed and strengthened” the convention security plan and they will continuously adapt their operations as needed. She added that the Secret Service also has made changes to Trump’s security detail. She didn’t offer any details on any of the changes.

The progressive coalition protesting the RNC has touted their Monday demonstrations as “family-friendly”. Organisers expect 5,000 to 10,000 attendees. Separately, the Philadelphia-based Poor People’s Army, which organises for economic justice, plans an afternoon march. Smaller organisations also plan to demonstrate inside parks closer to the convention site where Trump is set to officially accept the party’s presidential nomination later this week.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, Wisconsin’s largest immigrant rights group, condemned political violence but blamed Trump for fostering a climate of violence.

“It’s undeniable that Trump’s rhetoric, policies and actions have contributed to a climate of increased violence and legitimised hate crimes by white nationalists,” she said.

Peter Wilt, 64, of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, was in the crowd. He held a sign that read “Now Will U Ban Automatic Weapons”. Wilt said the sign referred to the assassination attempt.

“Common-sense gun laws are just that. Common sense,” he said. “The GOP has refused to enact common-sense gun laws, in part, because it hasn’t hit home for them.”

Milwaukee’s leaders reiterated their confidence in security plans as delegates, activists and journalists started arriving in town. An estimated 30,000 people are expected.