Fenced-in perimeter, demonstration areas for RNC announced. What to know. (2024)

Authorities on Friday released the boundaries of the credentials-only area for next month's Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee in addition to demonstration areas that will surround it.

The massive event will take place from July 15-18 and is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to Wisconsin and thousands of police officers from outside agencies.

"Together, this team has been preparing for the convention for over a year," U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said at a press conference. "They have been thoughtful about community impact, traffic concerns, businesses and most importantly, ensuring a safe and secure convention for attendees and the city of Milwaukee."

Here's what to know about the security measures that will be in place during the convention and the locations of demonstration areas, including a march route.

Where is the inner perimeter, or 'hard zone' of the 2024 Republican National Convention?

The "hard zone," or the area that is controlled by the Secret Service with credentials required to enter, will encompass Fiserv Forum, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center, the main spaces where the convention will take place.

The irregularly shaped area, also referred to as the "pedestrian restricted perimeter" stretches from West McKinley Avenue on the north to just past West Wisconsin Avenue to the south. The area encompasses Pere Marquette Park on the east side and stretches past North Lovell Street on the west.

Restrictions for this area will begin at 6 p.m. on July 14.

Where will the 'vehicle screening perimeter' be located for the RNC in downtown Milwaukee?

A "vehicle screening perimeter" will surround the hard zone.

The area stretches roughly from West Cherry Street on the north to Clybourn Street on the south and from North Ninth Street on the west to the east side of the Milwaukee River.

Restrictions will begin at 2 a.m. on July 15.

Credentials will not be required to enter the security footprint that surrounds the hard perimeter.

Who is allowed in the 'vehicle screening' and 'hard zone' perimeters?

The vehicle security perimeter is open to all pedestrians with no credentials or screening required to enter.

Vehicles trying to drive in the perimeter are allowed to enter but have to go through one of five vehicle checkpoints. Not all areas in the perimeter are available from each checkpoint, so the Secret Service recommends going through the checkpoint closest to the destination.

Bicycles can enter the vehicle screening perimeter, and rideshare, taxi and food delivery services will be allowed through a checkpoint.

For the "hard security zone," or "pedestrian restriction" area that encompasses the main sites of the convention, only credentialed and ticketed individuals are allowed to enter. Anyone entering the inner perimeter must go through a pedestrian screening.

Personal vehicles, golf carts and bicycles will not be allowed in the hard security zone. Businesses in the restricted area will not be accessible to the public and instead available only to convention attendees and volunteers.

What is the parade route for the RNC?

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

As with the demonstration areas, those looking to use the march route can sign up with the city for a time to use the march route.

Where will the RNC demonstration areas be located?

There will be two designated demonstration areas, one on the north side near Fiserv Forum and a second on the south side near the Baird Center.

The northern speaker's platform will be at Haymarket Square at West McKinley Avenue and North King Drive.

The southern speaker's platform will be at Zeidler Union Square, which will also serve as the starting and ending point for the parade route.

Is Pere Marquette Park among the Republican National Convention demonstration areas?

No, it is in the hard zone, inaccessible to the general public.

U.S. Secret Service RNC Coordinator Audrey Gibson-Cicchino cited the RNC's rental of the Milwaukee County Historical Society on the park's southwest corner as the reason it was included in the perimeter — as Republicans had been pushing for.

The park on the west side of the Milwaukee River, where a demonstration area had long been expected to be located, had been rejected by Republicans, the most prominent protest group and nearby businesses.

RNC officials lobbied the Secret Service to expand the perimeter to encompass Pere Marquette Park, saying the location created risk for RNC attendees. Local business owners expressed concern that protests at the park could bring disruptions to their businesses.

Protesters also expressed discontent with Pere Marquette, for different reasons. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, on behalf of Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, sued the City of Milwaukee saying its plans for demonstrations violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Tim Muth, a staff attorney for the ACLU, said in a statement that the ACLU of Wisconsin was "surprised and disappointed" in the size of the "hard security zone" designated by the Secret Service.

Muth said the finalized "hard security" zone's expansion to include Pere Marquette Park cannot be justified and is an "impermissible concession" by the City of Milwaukee to the RNC.

City spokesperson Jeff Fleming said the city was not involved in the decision to include Pere Marquette Park in the "hard security" zone and the decision was made by "security experts in law enforcement and the United States Secret Service."

After mediation talks for the lawsuit broke down earlier this week, the ACLU is proceeding in federal court and hopes for a quick ruling in the case in favor of Coalition to March on the RNC 2024.

What does security look like at Maier Festival Park?

Restrictions will also be in place around Maier Festival Park for a Sunday kickoff event.

The restrictions are from 5 a.m. on July 14 to midnight.

The park will be in a “pedestrian restricted perimeter,” meaning it is accessible only to those with credentials.

The waters bordering the park, in addition to Lakeshore State Park, will be subject to maritime restrictions.

The area west of Maier Festival Park will be part of a “vehicle screening perimeter.”

In addition to road closures around the area, the Hoan Bridge in the area of Maier Festival Park will be closed.

What else is inside the pedestrian-restricted perimeter besides Fiserv Forum, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center?

The pedestrian-restricted perimeter will include the Trade Hotel, some businesses’ and organizations’ locations and a private residence, Five Fifty Ultra Lofts apartments at 550 W. Juneau Ave.

The hotel will be accessible to guests.

Residents in the Five Fifty building will be able to access their homes through a pedestrian gate at Sixth Street and McKinley Street. Residents will have to present identification and have their names confirmed on a list from building management.

Residents in the vehicle security perimeter will be able to access their homes as usual. If they are driving a personal vehicle, they will have to enter through one of the vehicle checkpoints.

Additional information for those affected is available at Milwaukee.gov/RNC.

What are the restrictions for the Milwaukee River?

From July 14-19, no commercial or recreational boats will be allowed on the Milwaukee River from Cherry Street to Michigan Street, and road bridges in this area will remain down during the convention.

Owners do not have to go through pedestrian screening to access private vessels docked on the river.

Privately owned vessels in the maritime security zone may leave and return on the river as long as their boats don't require the bridges to be raised. Before departure and re-entry, owners must contact the U.S. Coast Guard to request an escort.

Vessels returning to the maritime security zone to be docked will be subject to screening.

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