Peaceful protesters gather outside RNC perimeter with varying messages

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Protesters just outside the secure perimeter have kept the messaging strong, but peaceful. This is Red Arrow Park. It's quiet now, but we've seen a steady stream with varying platforms.

They came with creative ways to get those messages out.

"I want to be a walking billboard for people to be aware of Project 2025 and Agenda 47," said Nadine Seiler, protesting against Project 2025.

Anti-Project 2025 protesters walked around Red Arrow Park Tuesday wishing more people had shown up.

"I cannot believe in a country that has at least 253-million adults that there's two of us, maybe three of us here," said Seiler.

As they march, someone's parked six vans along Water Street, blasting their message, "Dictator on Day One." The driver said he was hired to be here by someone who rented them anonymously.

On Old World Third Street, demonstrators spoke out against abortion, others to spread awareness about the opioid epidemic.

"So we are painting tombstones here at the RNC to show citizens, passerby people and politicians that this is a real big issue," said Madelyn Robinson, protesting against the opioid epidemic.

Madelyn Robinson and Sanjida Choudhury drove in from New York hoping to catch the attention of the Republican presidential candidate.

"If you're elected, we'd like you to see the grassroots organizations that are really helping," said Chourhury.

Some came in opposition to former President Trump.

"I don't think anybody should shoot him, but I don't like him," said Collin O'Toole, pro-Palestine demonstrator.

Others say he's the best, and they want the world to know it.

"So I, as a Democrat, am saying to Trump is A, obviously God is with you - one more inch and we wouldn't try to have this conversation, and B, you're a fighter," said Bob Kunst, registered Democrat who supports Trump.

Bob Kunst has a commitment to free speech. He says he's been demonstrating at national conventions, both Republican and Democratic, since the 1960s, starting with the Vietnam War protests.

"When the Democrats and the Republicans met in Miami Beach in 1972, I was right in the middle of it, and my mom and I and a whole bunch of people, we got gassed by the police," said Kunst.

The free speech zones will be active all week.