Milwaukee — The protest rally on the opening day at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee July 15 demonstrated a new type of militancy based on the fired-up participation of over 1,000 representatives of a wide variety of protest groups from around the country and internationally. It attained a new level of diversity and inspiration to change lives and promote true democracy.
The mood was one of determination rather than just anger. The goal was winning the Nov. 5 presidential election as a starting point to even greater human rights and inclusion in government.
It was inspiring to feel yourself among such a wide range of young people experienced in fighting for justice. They didn’t lose sight of the bigger picture, and made you aware of the broad range of allies fighting for justice and to defeat the MAGA movement.
In the recent time period, when so many people are fighting off hopelessness, this provided an insight into the breadth of causes and people we are fighting to protect. The knowledge and experience of the gathered activists boosted a more encouraging perspective than just looking at several recent setbacks like the Supreme Court’s recent immunity decision.
It was surprising that there were so many protesters from the nation, and even internationally, as well as prominent local representatives, including local officials. There also were representatives of progressive media. The mood was surprisingly mellow, as there was a mutual desire in sharing information.
It was interesting that the people we interviewed were more or equally focused on their issues and the ramifications of a Trump victory. The significant showing of people working on immigration issues were particularly concerned about the tragedy and chaos that would result from the mass deportation proposed by Trump and his allies.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz of the Milwaukee-based Voces de la Frontera linked Republicans’ war against immigrants to the larger pattern of Trump’s disregard for democracy. “Six people got killed when Trump tried to throw out the results of a democratic election,” she said. “He brought White supremacists and armed Proud Boys into the political mainstream.”
Neumann-Ortiz claimed that Trump’s “dehumanizing” language and “calls for mass expulsion” have led to an increase in violent attacks on people of color and immigrants. She recalled Trump’s cruel family separation policy of taking infants from their parents. She concluded: “We march today to say that we are not afraid of those that demonize us and promote hate and violence and division.”
Teachers were obviously concerned with conservative boards of education meddling with curricula and banning books and installing other oppressive rules. The proposed dismantling of the Department of Education is an alarming sign for public education.The many pro-Palestine supporters made an impressive showing. It would seem that. despite the Biden policies, they would apparently rather keep power in Democratic hands than gamble with MAGA.
Women supporting abortion and women’s health, from our knowledge of local participants, this is obviously an important plank for those intensely supporting the Democrats both locally and for the presidency. The issue is increasingly urgent. Student activist Victoria Hinckley told the rally, “These attacks on reproductive freedom and abortion access are harshly felt in the South, especially in states like Florida and Texas with the emergence of anti-abortion bills banning abortion within the first few weeks of pregnancy.”
Further, MAGA is clearly a major threat to civil liberties and civil rights. Speakers addressed a host of issues that deepened the understanding of how many different people would be threatened by a Trump victory.
One clear-cut threat: proposals to scuttle Civil Service rules in order to fire some 50,000 public employees — possessing scientific and other expert knowledge—with a flood of partisan bureaucrats whose only loyalty is to Trump.
Amidst the gathering storm clouds represented at the Republican National Convention, the protest rally reflected the breadth and vitality of diverse social movements deeply committed to a radically different alternative.
Roger Bybee and Carolyn Winter are Milwaukee-based writers and Bybee is former editor of the Racine Labor weekly. Email winterbybee@gmail.com.
From The Progressive Populist, August 15, 2024
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