The US Secret Service held a news conference Friday morning to announce the security parameters that will be in place during the Republican National Convention.
The RNC is just around the corner, running from July 15th-18th at Fiserv Forum.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle discussed a comprehensive public safety map for the event.
The yellow areas on the map are vehicle screening which is open to pedestrians. The black dots on the map are vehicle checkpoints. Rideshares are available in those locations but will need to enter through a vehicle checkpoint.
The red area on the map is off-limits for pedestrians and only accessible to credentialed people.
MCTS will operate but routes will be impacted and riders should expect delays and budget more time for travel.
Trash, mail, and package deliveries will continue in the restricted zone, but schedules will be shifted.
Leaders with the Secret Service also released a map of closures around the Summerfest grounds, which are only in effect on Sunday, July 14.
Get a closer look at those maps here.
TMJ4's Mariam Mackar was at the morning press conference and shared these photos of the two demonstration zones.
Meanwhile, controversy over where demonstrators will be has reached a gridlock.
As shown in the maps above, two locations have been designated for demonstrators to the north and south sides of Fiserv Forum.
To the south, Zeidler Union Square will have a designated speaker stage and parade route.
Groups pre-approved by the city will be allowed to march there in 20-minute increments.
The second demonstration zone to the north of Fiserv is specifically for speakers and is located at Haymarket Square. In that location, demonstrators get a good view of Fiserv Forum, but organizers with the Coalition to March on the RNC argue they won't be able to be heard, even with a sound system
"There's no way that they will be able to hear us within sight or sound," said Omar Flores with the coalition.
"Within sight and sound" of the front doors of the forum are the parameters the coalition says they deserve in both locations under the First Amendment.
It's why they, alongside the ACLU, are suing the city of Milwaukee for allegedly denying them those rights.
"We are looking forward to taking this on through our lawsuit against the city," said Flores.
The coalition called the two demonstration zones "insulting" and told TMJ4 they wouldn't be utilizing either of those spots. Instead, they plan to march along their own route on the Monday of the convention.
Meanwhile city reps maintain their goal in all of this is safety.
"Safety for our convention goers, our delegates for those who intend to demonstrate for our businesses for our employees for our residents," said Nick Desiato.
The US Secret Service was joined by members of the Milwaukee Police Department, FBI, FEMA, the Milwaukee Fire Department, The Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee.
Peak travel for the RNC is expected to begin on July 13th. Those who live and work downtown are expecting major disruptions while the Convention is underway.
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