Downtown businesses fear disruption from RNC protests. They want the demonstration zone moved

Downtown restaurant and tavern operators are concerned about the location of the Republican National Convention's protest zone ? saying it should be moved to reduce possible disruption to their businesses.

That zone is expected to be at Pere Marquette Park ? near the Old World Third Street entertainment district on North King Drive.

"We just don't want people screaming at people going into businesses that are mom and pop operations and dependent on tourism," said Omar Shaikh, who manages 3rd Street Market Hall, a food hall at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave.

"Obviously, a lot of businesses don't want interruption to their business," said Shaikh, who will operate his businesses, including Carnevor Steakhouse, 718 N. Milwaukee St., during the RNC.

The protest zone "puts us in a bad position," said Gino Fazzari, who operates Calderone Club and San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana, both in the 800 block of North King Drive.

Fazzari said he didn't know if his restaurants would be open during the RNC, which runs July 15-18. He's worried that his employees ? and customers ? might not show up because of safety concerns.

"If I can't staff my restaurant, that's a problem," he said.

Fazzari said a Thursday night meeting of the Old World Third Street Association drew around 50 people who have similar issues.

RNC protest zone has been point of contention

Pere Marquette Park is the expected site of a demonstration area during the convention, though the city has not yet released its plans for the demonstration site or a march route.

The site has been a point of contention, with both Republicans and the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024.

Republican party officials want the U.S. Secret Service to move the protest zone. They say having it near areas where convention attendees are walking to Fiserv Forum and other RNC facilities could create an "untenable risk of violence."

The Coalition to March on the RNC says the protest zone should be closer to Fiserv Forum, where presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump is expected to give his acceptance speech.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee on Thursday saying the city's plans for demonstrations during the RNC violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Shaikh said he and other business operators want the protest zone moved to MacArthur Square, which is just east of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. MacArthur Square is also largely isolated from downtown's street grid.

MacArthur Square could accommodate more protesters while avoiding possible disruption to businesses, said Bobby Wiltgen. He operates Who's on Third, Third Street Tavern and Oak Barrel Public House, all on North King Drive in the Old World Third Street entertainment district.

Wiltgen's main concern is ensuring the safety of his employees and customers.

"This is not a partisan issue," he said.

Staff writer Alison Dirr contributed to this article.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at [email protected] and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook. 

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC's protest zone raises concern for Milwaukee restaurant, bar owners