Police Killed A Man A Mile From The RNC, On ‘Back The Blue’ Night

MILWAUKEE — The theme of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday was “Make America Safe Once Again.” The words appeared on a towering digital screen in Fiserv Forum above a GIF of three fighter jets against an orange sky. The GOP wanted the thousands of journalists here to know: U nlike Democrats, we support our military and our police. We are the party of law and order.

“I believe in an America where we defend the police, not defund the police,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), thought to be Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general if he wins a second term, said from the main stage. “President Trump will make that dream a reality, and that’s why we need him back in the White House!”

Members of the predominantly white crowd sauntered around the arena, buying beers and cocktails, or stepping outside to play cornhole or smoke cigars. “Thank you for your service,” some of them told the many cops stationed there to protect them. The cops nodded in appreciation. Some of them posed for smiling photos next to the convention’s massive “TRUMP 2024” sculpture, or could be heard chatting about what a nice assignment this was. Inside the arena, the crowd broke into a chant of “Back the Blue!”

About a mile away from the RNC on Tuesday evening — past byzantine barricades and checkpoints and tall black cages blocking off sidewalks; past gaggles of armed cops sent from Florida and Indiana and Michigan to guard these assembled Red Hats; past a freeway that has long demarcated Milwaukee, the country’s most segregated city, into Black and white neighborhoods — there was a much more somber scene.

David Porter, an unhoused man living in a tent encampment, walked onto West Vilet Street and fell to his knees in prayer. Next to him, the