Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging the Secret Service to keep protesters further away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, warning that a conflict is likely unless the security perimeter is closed. changed.
“I am deeply concerned about reports that the security perimeter around the Republican Convention site in Milwaukee may be creating a likely – and avoidable – area of conflict between protesters and convention attendees and delegates,” McConnell warned in a letter from May 10 to Kimberly Cheatle. the director of the US Secret Service.
“As you know, this year has been very challenging for protests in the United States. We must all take seriously that tensions are high and do our best to balance the right to express dissent while keeping Convention attendees as safe as possible,” warned McConnell.
The Republican Party leader described himself as “a strong supporter” of First Amendment rights to speak and assemble, and argued that time, place and manner restrictions are appropriate.
“In a potentially volatile situation like a large political convention, located in the center of a major city, it is imperative that we balance the place of First Amendment activities with the safety of convention attendees,” he wrote.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining clear access points for Republican senators attending the convention.
And he noted that the “zone of First Amendment activity” for the Democratic convention in Chicago “will be miles away from the convention itself.”
“It is of singular importance to me that many United States senators are participating in the Convention. Your safety and security are paramount,” he insisted.
To keep senators safe, McConnell is asking Secret Service senior leadership to meet with the leaders of the Republican National Committee and the Republican National Convention next week.
McConnell said he will also ask the Senate sergeant-at-arms to work with the Secret Service to ensure they are prepared to keep senators safe.
“This is a serious issue where time is of the essence,” he wrote, calling it “unacceptable” that Secret Service leadership has not yet met with the RNC and convention leadership.
“I request that you personally ensure that this meeting takes place next week so that these concerns are heard and acted upon,” he wrote.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
