With the Republican National Convention in town, we’ve asked local organizations, activists and advocacy groups to share what they are planning and if and how their services will change during the convention. 

Here’s a list of what they have planned:

The Great Milwaukee Block Party

A network of progressive grassroots organizations, nonprofits, small businesses and community members is hosting The Great Milwaukee Block Party, a collection of events and activities that aim to celebrate Milwaukee, through July 21. 

Event organizer Rae Chappelle said when they heard the RNC would be in town, they started thinking about how to resist joyfully.

“To be honest, I was afraid for my city and her people,” Chappelle said. “There will be so many cops and other law enforcement agents, armed vigilantes and hate groups in Milwaukee that week.”

For months, organizers and community members met and talked about how to create intersectional and inclusive spaces that could build community and provide alternatives to the protests and free speech area. 

“I think there was an underlying sentiment that we rely on the things that Milwaukee is great for: being creative and funny, and, you know, we’ll respond to anything in a community way when we want to come down to it,” said Stephanie Roades, an organizer working on outreach for the block party.

Some of the many events include the African American Roundtable’s screening of “The Funnel” and talkback with filmmaker Charlene Carruthers at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 at Kuumba Juice + Coffee, 274 E. Keefe Ave., a community hangout at Diverse & Resilient from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17,and a bike ride with MKE Tuesday Night Rides at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16 from Zócalo Food Park to Mitchell Park. 

For a full list of events, visit The Great Milwaukee Block Party on Facebook or Instagram or fill out this form to be involved.

Near West Side Partners

Some community organizations plan to operate as usual during the RNC, such as Near West Side Partners, which will be open all week.

“We continue to work with business owners on the Near West Side to be prepared to welcome visitors from around the country,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, executive director of Near West Side Partners. 

“We are also promoting our great Near West Side restaurants and businesses to those staying in our neighborhoods, including at the Ambassador Hotel and at our great bed and breakfast locations.”

Voces de La Frontera Action

Voces de la Frontera Action is the advocacy arm of Voces de la Frontera. Its members are getting ready for what they see as an important fight against white nationalism and racist rhetoric. 

“People are afraid. We’re doing everything we can to mobilize and organize voters, workers and immigrants,” said Jarrett English, political director of Voces de la Frontera Action.

Voces de la Frontera will also be taking part in the Great Milwaukee Block Party as part of a “peaceful resistance” to the RNC

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

“Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is prioritizing the security and safety of our patients and staff during the convention,” said Analiese Eicher, director of communications for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. 

“Patients are reminded to leave extra time for travel because of road closures and detours.”

Hmong American Women’s Association

Hmong American Women’s Association, or HAWA, is encouraging people to “have a plan” during this week of the RNC.

“There’s been a lot of excitement to spotlight Milwaukee, and that’s definitely a plus, but because of the political climate, we’re just not sure of the kinds of crowds that are going to be flocking to Milwaukee,” Tammie Xiong, executive director of HAWA, said. 

To prioritize community and staff safety, HAWA will close its office this week, offer services remotely and alert people about traffic. 

“And if there’s something that we really want people to think about, it’s to make sure that you and your loved ones are safe and have a plan for the upcoming week,” Xiong said. 

NAACP

The NAACP Milwaukee Branch is planning to celebrate the John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action on Wednesday, July 17 by advocating for the passage of voting rights bills.

“If this were the Democratic National Convention, we’d be doing the same thing, because we won’t allow any political party to take us for granted and assume that we’re in their corner,” said Rickey Townsell, chairman of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch’s political action committee.

The branch is holding a cookout with community partners, including the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17 at 2375 N. Vel Phillips Drive, near Pete’s Fruit Market. A press conference will be held around 11:30 a.m. 

NAACP Milwaukee Branch members and partners are also scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. at the RNC north speaker’s platform on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near McKinley Avenue. The group plans to leave the cookout site around 3:10 p.m. to march to the platform. 

“We’ve been able to impress upon people that this is a unique opportunity for the city of Milwaukee as a whole to gain income and make a lot of money, and for various community organizations, grassroots organizations, an opportunity for a national platform,” Townsell said. 

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Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.

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