Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Megan Myers
“Ahead of the 2024 election, the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention brought thousands of delegates, high-profile politicians, lobbyists, and media commentators to Milwaukee and Chicago. As expected, the events attracted thousands of protesters, who descended on the metropolitan areas for each of the near week-long quadrennial affairs. Each city expected a throng of demonstrators, but from what FIRE witnessed on the ground, the number of media and police officers seemed to greatly outnumber demonstrators at both conventions. Coalition organizers partially blamed this on lengthy legal battles, insufficient platforms for protected speech, and city leaders establishing a culture of fear around free expression.” (08/30/24)
https://www.thefire.org/news/how-milwaukee-and-chicago-circumvented-free-speech-rnc-and-dnc