Liberal groups call on Milwaukee leaders to reject 2024 Republican National Convention
Five left-leaning community and labor groups on Tuesday called for Milwaukee leaders to reject the 2024 Republican National Convention that Mayor Cavalier Johnson has been working to win.
The push to scuttle the GOP event in a traditionally Democratic city came just a day before a key Common Council committee is due to vote on the contract. The letter prompted Johnson to reiterate his support for the event because of the short- and long-term economic opportunities it presents.
"The Republican Party, both nationally and in Wisconsin, has become an organization that supports White Supremacists, the violent attempted coup at the US Capitol to overthrow a democratic election, and continues to engineer new ways to undermine fair and democratic elections," the groups wrote in an open letter issued Tuesday.
The groups claimed "we must not normalize the far right that has captured the Republican Party."
Voces de la Frontera Action, Power to the Polls, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, Never Again is Now and SEIU pushed Johnson and the Common Council to reject the agreement.
The council's Steering and Rules Committee, composed of the chairs of the other council committees, is scheduled to take a vote on the agreement Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Johnson said that it was his expectation that the council would approve the contract. The full council meets June 1.
He said he understood the organizations' concerns but that the city's hosting of the convention does not indicate support for the Republican Party's platform.
And Johnson called his support for the convention a business decision, saying it would help the city's businesses and economy long-term.
"I think that the RNC presents a tremendous opportunity for us in Milwaukee," he said. "I think it presents a great opportunity for Milwaukee to be in the national conversation, to be a city that other large conventions and other large events look to. I want the RNC to be the bedrock for a new and stronger convention and tourism economy that we can build here in the city of Milwaukee."
Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Paul Farrow said in a statement that the potential Milwaukee convention has bipartisan political support and was backed by the business community and public.
"These Democrat-led groups are doing themselves and Wisconsinites a tremendous disservice by disingenuously pushing false, tired talking points for political reasons at the Milwaukee community’s expense," Farrow said in a statement.
One of the people who spearheaded Milwaukee's bid with the RNC, Peggy Williams-Smith, president and chief executive of VISIT Milwaukee, said hosting the convention would benefit workers in the construction trades and hospitality industry.
"This is America, so everybody has a right to voice their opinion. I think that's part of what makes America great. I also think the political process is what makes America great. If they're going to do it (have a convention) regardless, why not have it here?" Williams-Smith said.
"It would be a shame for the city to preemptively turn away $200 million in economic impact and the opportunity to have 15,000 journalists in our city telling the story of our city regardless of which side of the political world you're on. This will give us an opportunity to showcase our city to the world."
Downtown Ald. Robert Bauman, a convention critic, wasn't sure how the votes would shake out on the council but said he and others wanted to ensure that city government gained monetarily from the event.
"We want to see the city get something out of this event because right now the city gets very little if anything other than a lot of inconvenience, hassle for our residents, shut down of our streets, a lot of police downtown instead of in the neighborhoods," he said.
Council President José G. Pérez did not immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment on the letter.
Milwaukee and Nashville are the two finalists in the race to host the event.
More: Nashville still in contention for 2024 RNC, despite criticism from national GOP figures
The Republican National Committee is due to make a final decision later this summer.
The Common Council has to sign off on a draft agreement negotiated with the city, RNC and the local host committee, which is led by former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus.
The agreement calls for the host committee to work with local vendors and workers and includes provisions to employ diverse and historically underrepresented businesses.
Key elements of the agreement with the city include:
Police, fire, security, bomb disposal and emergency and rescue services deployed in and around convention facilities and other areas, with the city also entering into agreements with other agencies to make sure the event is adequately secured.
Armed security patrols would also be provided for a range of convention offices, hotels and other activities, with special security for delegates and other dignitaries.
Installation and operation of magnetometers, hand scanners and X-ray machines at entries to convention facilities. The host committee would provide private security in the premises leased for the convention.
Parking made available for about 2,500 cars and 350 buses.
Closures of public streets and walks during the convention period.
Broadcast and livestream of the convention proceedings on the city-owned or public access cable stations.
Top city officials would have to get permission from the RNC to respond to media inquiries about the convention except in specific circumstances.
Milwaukee would be unable to host any other political convention in 2024.
Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee liberal groups call on city leaders to reject 2024 RNC
