For those outside of the Republican National Convention, day one of the weeklong event passed without hiccups, filled with calm protest by hundreds of people and slower-than-hoped business at local bars and restaurants.
Despite the sweltering heat, many were pleased or relieved about the relatively uneventful day outside the convention perimeter.
Just a couple of blocks east of Fiserv Forum at Village Church, lifelong Milwaukeean and member of the church, Bill Koehn, 73, said that security was the main topic of conversation at the church’s Sunday service.
Koehn said he was “OK” with the convention being in Milwaukee, given the hoped-for economic benefits and how it highlights the City of Milwaukee “in a way that doesn’t happen very often.”
However, the number of customers was lower than expected at many nearby businesses Monday. Many staff said they hoped traffic would pick up as the week went on.
Heather Jordan, a delegate from Florida, flew into Milwaukee yesterday. She says attendees are still getting their bearings with traffic, parking and security but spirits are high.
“We have heightened security going on right now, which I personally welcome,” Jordan said.
Despite some heated moments, protest zones were relatively quiet
The two designated protest zones for the convention were mostly quiet throughout the day, despite a few tense moments between protesters and counter-protesters.
Zeidler Union Square, one of the city’s two designated protest zones, was empty for most of Monday save for a couple dozen security staff.
There’s been more dog-walkers than protesters, a security staffer said in the afternoon. A small group of about 15 people were in the park earlier in the day.
The day included a protest by about 500 people in opposition to the Republican Party platform, advocating for topics like LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, abortion rights and against the Israel-Hamas war.
The number of protesters who showed up to the Coalition to March on the RNC was about one-fifth to one-tenth of what its organizers initially anticipated.
By nightfall, few demonstrators were left around the convention area. About six members from anti-abortion group Live Action stood corner of West Juneau Avenue and North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive chanting as convention attendees walked out of the security perimeter around 10 p.m.
Anastasia Rogers, 31, of San Francisco said the group plans to leave Milwaukee on Tuesday.
“We knew that today was the day they would be making the decision on the new platform, so we wanted to be here,” she said.
Restaurants and bars mostly reported slow business
By the evening, streets were mostly quiet up and down the riverwalk and along Broadway Avenue in the Third Ward.
Some businesses in the neighborhood said they were hoping for a convention boost in business but it had yet to materialize. Employees at several restaurants said a variety of factors beyond the RNC — the early weekday, humidity and rain — could have played a role in reducing foot traffic.
At Cafe Benelux, an employee said the number of diners was “significantly” lower than a normal Monday evening.
At the Milwaukee Public Market, stools at the Tiki Bar were mostly filled. An employee said traffic was about what he’d expect.
City Social employee Jeloni Woulard also business was normal for a Monday. She said she was expecting increased business but stressed it was only the first day.
Dominic Reed, manager of the Wicked Hop, said business was “a lot” slower than normal.
“We’ve just got to wait and see,” he said.
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