Judge rules protesters cannot march through security zone surrounding Republican convention

A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that demonstrators cannot march or protest through a security zone that surrounds the Republican National Convention next week.

GOP leaders will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15 to July 18, for the national convention where former President Donald Trump will officially become the Republican nominee for president.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 filed a lawsuit against the city last month, claiming the security perimeter violates their rights to free speech because it does not bring them close enough to the Republican leaders, the Associated Press reported.

The protesters have asked the judge to establish a parade route for them that would put them within view of the convention center. 

U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig said the First Amendment does give them the right to protest, but that it "does not allow them to protest or parade in any way they choose.” He also claimed the security perimeter around the Fiserv Forum, where the convention will be held, makes sense for the event.

“The vast majority of the resulting security plan is a reasonable and valid time, place, and manner regulation on speech,” Ludwig ruled.

Demonstrators are allowed to protest in designated areas and along an established protest route that are located approximately five blocks from the convention center. The security perimeter blocks public access to the event, but attendees will be given credentials.

Ludwig did rule against the city on one issue related to the convention, by determining that the city overstepped when approving speaker and demonstration applications based on the applicant’s criminal history.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.