With the Republican National Convention set to begin only days from now, the City of Cleveland awaits not only the political class of conservatives to descend upon it, but a myriad collection of groups from various backgrounds, political persuasions, and agendas.
City, state, and local security and law enforcement officials in Ohio have been planning for the convention over a year. However, the latest rise in racial tensions across the nation, the attack on Dallas and the fact that Ohio allows open carry of firearms is a major cause for concern.
In an interview with MSNBC, Cleveland City Councilman Bryan Kazy expressed concerns. Kazy said:
“Ohio is an open carry state and we have been informed that here in the city, during the convention, there will individuals within the event zone, who will be exercising their constitutional right to openly carry firearms. “
Addressing whether security forces have had to reconsider their plans for the event and whether there was in fact concern about the the latest rash of gun violence, Kazy went on to say said:
“..in light of Dallas last week, that has put the city and law enforcement a little bit more on edge”
Inside the closed doors of the convention center, there is a threat of political unruliness as the “Stop Trump” movement continues to attempt rule changes to allow conscience votes to oust Donald Trump (R-NY) as the nominee.
By contrast, a very real physical threat is expected outside of the arena. The atmosphere on the city streets of Cleveland has been likened to preparations for a war zone.
Law enforcement is preparing with military grade robots, motorcycles, bomb squads and equipment. Bike officers will be deployed throughout the city, military-style vehicles will be used, and all levels of traditional security strategies, as with other large-scale events like this, are being used. The convention is expected to draw 1.3 million visitors to Cleveland.
While security planning has been in place and some officials, including at the federal level, are comfortable with the preparation and coordination thus far, a new layer of concern has been added to the fold.
The powerful movements which have been energized across America since the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and the fact that the Dallas shooter was inspired to commit senseless acts of violence by this raises deep concerns.
Red flags were raised when reports were confirmed that Black Panthers informed city officials that they intended to appear in Cleveland and to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms.
The chairman of the New Black Panthers Party, Hashim Nzinga, told Reuters:
“If it is an open state to carry, we will exercise our Second Amendment rights because there are other groups threatening to be there that are threatening to do harm to us.”
The divisive energy surrounding this event is running high and the tension is extremely palpable on all sides. Be it activist, political, security or otherwise, what is clear is that there is little clarity on expectations for the Republican National Convention.
Preparations have been made, but even now, less than a week from the event, the sense is very much: We just don’t know what to expect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W7ZhHnKVfc
Featured image screengrab via YouTube
