Donald Trump to speak in Milwaukee days after violent protests

The timing of the candidate's campaign stop raises concerns of repeats of Chicago and Los Angeles protests

Jeff Swensen/Getty

Donald Trump is due to speak in Milwaukee, bringing his bombastic campaign to a city still in shock at violence sparked by the killing of a black man by a police officer.

The Republican presidential nominee will appear at a town hall moderated by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity event early Tuesday evening. Mr Trump will meet with police officials – although it is unclear whether or not the meeting was scheduled.

But Mr Trump faces trouble at this stage in the election as he struggles to find his footing in Wisconsin – likely exacerbated by his public standoff with Representative for Wisconsin Paul Ryan. His opponent Hillary Clinton leads in polling by more than nine points, according to RealClear Politics.

The Trump campaign draws protests wherever it goes, and with national scrutiny on Milwaukee following the shooting of 23-year-old Sylville Smith, his downtown appearance could stoke the flames of discontent.

Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett issued nightly curfews on teenagers following the street disturbances on Saturday and Sunday nights, which saw cars and buildings burn, rocks were reportedly thrown at police, and one person suffered a gunshot wound.

People Killed by Police in Wisconsin | FindTheHome

The unrest drew attention to the issues of racial inequality in the city, where black communities face high levels of unemployment and poverty, at rates that are seemingly non-existent in white areas of Milwaukee and its suburbs.

While the killing of Smith sparked the weekend protests, the unrest stemmed from decades of racial tension in the city.

Monday night was quiet for residents of Milwaukee – which city officials attribute to the effectiveness of the curfew – but the presence of Mr Trump could awaken more protests like those that erupted outside of his rallies in Chicago and Los Angeles.

It remains unclear when the curfew will be lifted.

Mr Trump will head to West Bend after the Milwaukee town hall for an additional campaign rally Tuesday night.