Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee protest group slams RNC demonstrations plan, vows to march its own route

Published

11 months ago

June 21, 2024

Milwaukee protest group slams RNC demonstrations plan, vows to march its own route

Hours after the demonstration areas for next month’s Republican National Convention were unveiled Friday, the most prominent group planning to protest the event slammed the plan and vowed to march its own route.

Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, rejected the city’s plans for demonstration areas at parks on the north and south ends of a “hard” security zone that will encompass the primary convention sites of Fiserv Forum on the north down to the Baird Center on the south.

“It’s completely insulting for them to offer either of those parks because they’re not within sight and sound of the Fiserv Forum,” Flores said at a press conference outside the federal Courthouse where earlier discussions failed to produce a resolution to the group’s lawsuit against the city over its plans for demonstrations.

On Friday, representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, city and Milwaukee County announced the location of the demonstration areas and a march route in addition to the boundaries of a hard security zone that credentials will be needed to enter for the July 15-18 event.

Of note was the inclusion of Pere Marquette Park in the hard security zone, a move the Secret Service had previously resisted despite pressure from Republicans to do so. The city had been expected to designate the space just west of the Milwaukee River and two block from Fiserv Forum as a demonstration area, causing consternation for Republicans, the Coalition and nearby businesses for different reasons.

Two demonstration areas will instead be located at Haymarket Square on the north side of the hard zone and at Zeidler Union Square on the south side.

A demonstration march route will be on the south side of the hard zone, beginning and ending at Zeidler Union Square.

“We believe we provided premier access on both the south and the north side,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s Chief of Staff Nick DeSiato said.

He pointed to the area where the march route will take demonstrators directly up to the fence outside the Baird Center, where media from around the nation and globe will be working.

On the north side, he said, demonstrators will be close to Fiserv Forum, where primary convention activities will take place. Former President Donald Trump is expected to formally accept the party’s nomination in the arena during the convention, setting up a rematch of the 2020 race for the White House between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden.

The northern demonstration zone is also by an area where delegates will be entering, DeSiato said.

Citing the group’s lawsuit, he said he could not speak to how the city would respond if anyone chose to march a route different than the one designated by the city.

It’s difficult to gauge how many people will choose to demonstrate at the city’s designated areas because the city does not ask how many people are expected to accompany the applicant, he said. About 100 applications have been filed with the city to demonstrate during the RNC, he said.

“We also suspect that just like any national convention, there’ll be some ad hoc demonstrating,” he said. “And if you’re lawfully demonstrating on a sidewalk, you can lawfully demonstrate on a sidewalk. If you’re lawfully demonstrating on public property, you can lawfully demonstrate on public property.”

Flores vowed to march a route the group expects to release soon, saying it will be a “family-friendly protest.” And while he said the group does not plan to try to march into the hard zone, the group won’t be limited to the sidewalk, either.

Flores said he expected thousands of people to be part of the group’s march, making it unsafe to try to squeeze onto the sidewalk.

As for the group’s plans to march its own route, he said, “If MPD is serious about what they’re saying, then we shouldn’t be worried about any type of arrest and honestly, I’d encourage them to not even show up.”

At an earlier press conference, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said police would seek to be patient and communicative, though he said there would be limits.

Friday’s back and forth was the latest in a monthslong debate over the city’s plans for demonstrations during the convention.

Representatives of the Coalition to March on the RNC met with officials on June 17 in an ultimately failed effort to resolve the federal lawsuit the group brought earlier this month over the city’s demonstration plans.

The group is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, which on Friday also criticized the demonstration plans and the size of the downtown hard zone.

“The large size of this zone makes it more critical than ever that the City take steps to allow for effective opportunities for expression and assembly by those with differing viewpoints,” Tim Muth, staff attorney for the ACLU of Wisconsin, said in a statement.

He also said the inclusion of Pere Marquette Park in the hard zone “cannot be justified” and “represents an impermissible concession to the Republican National Committee, which did not want to see or hear demonstrators near its convention.”

Republicans previously argued that locating a demonstration zone at Pere Marquette Park would force convention attendees to walk right by protestors, creating a “mandated confrontational area.”

Secret Service RNC Coordinator Audrey Gibson-Cicchino cited the RNC’s rental of the Milwaukee County Historical Society building on the park’s southwest corner as the reason it was included in the perimeter.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. Tristan Hernandez can be reached at thernandez@gannett.com.

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Milwaukee, WI

Botanical Battle Royale

Published

4 hours ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

Embark on a Cocktail Adventure at the Second Annual Botanical Battle Royale!

Sunday, June 1st – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us at Milwaukee’s charming Ivy House for a spectacular day of craft cocktails, gourmet bites, and vibrant competition. Hosted by Bittercube Bitters and Heirloom Liqueurs, in collaboration with the Two Birds Group, this event promises an unmatched showcase of Wisconsin’s finest bartenders.

Tantalize Your Taste Buds: A Seasonal Sensation

Dive into a sensory journey at each booth as top bartenders from around Wisconsin compete, each bringing their unique style to the forefront with concoctions that highlight the unique botanicals in Bittercube and Heirloom, paired with a selection of exceptional spirits.

Be Part of the Action

Your palate, your vote! Engage directly in the competition by voting for your favorite cocktail, and collect exquisite recipe cards photographed professionally, capturing the essence of each creation.

A Feast for the Senses

Experience the thrill as all bartenders present their signature cocktails on stage, each vying for the judges’ favor. Complement your tastings with delectable offerings from premier local food trucks, and don’t miss out on sampling the spirits, liqueurs, and bitters that inspired their creations.

An Art Exhibit to Inspire

Join us for a special exhibition featuring the talented artist and Heirloom collaborator, Josh Stover. As a guest judge at this year’s event, Josh will premiere the five unique posters he designed for each of the Heirloom liqueurs. Attendees will not only get a chance to view these captivating pieces but also purchase signed copies. In addition, Josh will showcase a variety of other artworks, adding an artistic flair to the cocktail experience.

An Unforgettable Experience Awaits

Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a food lover, or simply in search of a remarkable day out, the Botanical Battle Royale is set to dazzle. Celebrate the artistry of cocktails, the beauty of botanicals, inspiration art, and the spirit of community at this one-of-a-kind event.

Secure your spot now for a day where botanical magic comes to life at the grand Botanical Battle Royale!

Participant List

Agency – Milwaukee
Bavette La Boucherie – Milwaukee
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge – Milwaukee
Explorium Brewing – Wauwatosa
Hill Valley Dairy – Milwaukee
Lost Whale – Milwaukee
Lowlands Group – Milwaukee
Public Parking – Madison
Pufferfish – Milwaukee
Screaming Tuna – Milwaukee
Station No. 6 – West Allis
Wiscocktail – Baraboo

Judges

Robert Simonson

Robert writes about cocktails, spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times. He has authored a number of award-winning cocktail books and has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards. His work has also been featured in Vinepair, Punch, Imbibe, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, New York magazine, and Lucky Peach.

Toby Maloney

Toby was Sasha Petraske’s first hire at the legendary Milk & Honey in 1999. After years behind the stick at Milk & Honey and other New York cocktail emporiums, Toby opened The Violet Hour in Chicago, and is Bittercube founder Ira Koplowitz’s first mentor in the industry. Toby has won multiple James Beard awards for his cocktail programs, and continues to innovate in the industry. He recently authored his first cocktail book, The Bartender’s Manifesto.

Immortal Girlfriend

Immortal Girlfriend is an alternative electronic retrofuture band and production duo made up of brothers Kevin and William Bush. Their music, a captivating mix of synthesizers and cinematic influences, defines a genre all its own. As accomplished composers and producers, their work has graced some of the most popular TV shows and video games around the globe. As self-proclaimed foodies and cocktail aficionados, they bring a unique skill set and aesthetic to the judging table.

Mikel McGee

Mikel is a chai tea connoisseur and the proud owner of 414loral, a renowned Milwaukee florist specializing in seasonal floral designs. She is inspired by interesting color palettes, seasonal-locally sourced materials and the community connections that are created through floral design. She was awarded a 40 under 40 award by the Business Journal and has been featured in various publications in Milwaukee. Her love of all things botanical brings an interesting dynamic to the judging table.

Josh Stover

Josh is an artist and sign painter based in Richmond, VA. His work depicts part imagined – part seen environments and still life scenes. In his paintings and drawings, curvy rounded shapes and repetition are a nod to art deco design and the shapes of vintage signs. Josh has exhibited art in Portland, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities. Commissioned by Heirloom Liqueurs in 2024, Josh created posters for each of the five Heirloom liqueurs, utilizing the stories, flavors, and botanicals from each product to develop the artwork.

Spirit Sponsors

Great Lakes Distillery
Great Northern Distillery
Hatch Distilling Co.
J. Henry & Sons Bourbon
Knowlton House Distillery
Ten to One Rum
Rooster Rojo Tequila
Wollersheim Distillery

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Milwaukee, WI

18-year-old dead after Saturday morning shooting, Milwaukee police say

Published

21 hours ago

May 31, 2025

Press Room

18-year-old dead after Saturday morning shooting, Milwaukee police say

MILWAUKEE — According to the Milwaukee Police Department, an 18-year-old is dead following a shooting early Saturday morning.

The shooting happened Saturday, May 31, around 5 a.m. in the area of 41st St. and Glendale Ave.

Police say the 18-year-old victim died at the scene.

The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating and is in search of unknown suspects.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.

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Milwaukee, WI

Brewers No. 1 Phenom Continued Explosive Start To 2025

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2025

Press Room

Brewers No. 1 Phenom Continued Explosive Start To 2025

The Milwaukee Brewers have one of the most exciting prospects in the game right now low in the minors.

18-year-old infielder Jesús Made has had a meteoric rise in the prospect standings this season. Made currently is ranked as the Brewers’ No. 1 overall prospect and the No. 23 overall prospect in the game right now.

Made had another massive day on Friday as he went 3-for-4 for the Class-A Carolina Mudcats with an inside-the-park home run, a double, three RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Made has been phenomenal so far this season. He has appeared in 40 games so far this season and is slashing .288/.402/.438 with four homers, 26 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, nine doubles, one triple, 32 runs scored, and 28 walks.

This is a guy who is going to play a massive role with the Brewers in the near future if he can keep things up. He’s drawn comparisons to Brewers phenom Jackson Chourio and has lived up to the hype in the minors so far. If he can keep up this level of play over the next year or so, there’s a real possibility that he and Chourio are both in the lineup for Milwaukee maybe by the time the 2027 season gets here. That’s just speculation, but would follow the timeline that Chourio was on.

Milwaukee has plenty of young talent at the big league level right now and another top prospect working his way up.

More MLB: Brewers Aren’t Losing 7-Year MLB Veteran After All

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