Alabama's Morning News with JT
Jeff Monosso tells us what to expect at the RNC
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We're going to run a lot of the convention coverage on, I think Tuesday through Friday, and I think it's Monday through Thursday night on this radio station in the evening when there's going to be a lot of speakers. Joining me now from Chicago is Jeff Manasso. Jeff, a lot of work goes into these conventions, in particular with regard to security, and that's the case with this one, too, isn't it? Yeah, John, right now there's no credible threats according to the Secret Service to the Republican National Convention, but there are soft and hard security zones with line fencing now in place, surrounding the Pfizer forum in the Milwaukee parking restrictions in effect now. A security sweep is going to be done over the weekend before the area is basically locked down. We've seen low-flying helicopters over the city in recent days, and that's expected to continue throughout the RNC week. It's basically what they're doing is what we're told they're doing is sniffing out radiological dispersal devices. Really, it's no joke. I mean, this is-- you're talking about thousands of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers on scene the next week, and really making Milwaukee one of the most secure cities on the planet. This is considered a national security event, much like the state of the Union, the Super Bowl, and other high-profile events. And so a lot has gone into it a year or so of planning has gone to it. But much of the security that's going on, the security measures, it's happening behind the scenes including monitoring communications and online threats. The latest development on security in Milwaukee is that there was a protest group backed by the ACLU that sued the city. They wanted to be able to just march and walk right up the Pfizer forum within the hard zone and protest. But a federal judge ruled yesterday that while they do have the First Amendment right to protest and to dispatch, that stops at the gates. And so what this group has decided to do, they're called the coalition to march on the RNC, they've been given protest zones that have been designated by the Secret Service, but they're going to do their own route no matter what. So we'll see what happens, but it's the same group, essentially the coalition to march on the DNC, that is fighting protest zones in the city of Chicago as well. But likely the same outcome in terms of the legal battle will play out in Chicago. And Jeff, I know the situations like this, they have to maintain control. I was fortunate enough, 12 years ago, I attended the Republican Convention in Tampa. And I remember there was multiple zones. There was, like you said, there was an outer shell, which had a perimeter around it, and they guarded that. And then an inner shell around the Tampa forum, where they really, really guarded that. And you had to go through so many metal detectors and so many people checking you and winding you and dog sniffing you and sniffing your equipment and everything like that. And that was 12 years ago. I've got to think that security measures have become even more stringent, because they don't wanna see what happened at the, was it the Democrat National Convention in 1968, where all the protests broke out? - '68, Chicago, yeah. And what's interesting is that protesters in Chicago are vowing to disrupt the DNC, happening at the United Center next month and over the Israel Hamas war. There's a group called Vote Red. It's predominantly African-American voters who live in the city of Chicago from the South and West sides that are incensed by the legal immigration crisis that's playing out in the city. Could be really interesting to see what happens. Not just inside these venues, these events. We're really, they're glorified pepperales, but seeing what could take shape in terms of security and risks outside, there's always the potential for bad things to happen. And that's why all of the planning goes into these and there's such huge manpower and a show of force because there's a reason it's to protect the leader or the potential leader of the free world. - Right, we're absolutely, Jeff Minaso, thank you so much for joining us. - Judy was boring. - Hello. - Then, Judy discovered Chumba Casino.com. - It's my little escape. - Now Judy's the life of the party. - Oh baby, mama's bringing home the bacon. - Whoa, take it easy, Judy. ♪ Chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum-chum ♪ - The Chumba Life is for everybody. So go to ChumbaCasino.com and play over a hundred casino style games. Join today and play for free for your chance to redeem some serious prizes.