Trump backers, some with guns, gather for first big rally
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A demonstrator took a picture of the police line during the Shut Down Trump & the RNC protest on Sunday, in Cleveland. The Republican National Convention started today.
CLEVELAND » Several hundred Donald Trump supporters and opponents held rallies a half-mile apart as the four-day Republican National Convention opened today with tensions running high among police in this summer of violence.
A few Trump backers openly carried guns as allowed under Ohio law.
While there was a large police presence downtown and near the convention site around midday, just a few dozen officers on bikes stood watch during the pro-Trump rally along the Cuyahoga River.
Trump backers who brought guns said they simply wanted to exercise their rights.
“You don’t see Trump supporters doing anything that is extreme,” said Josh Clark, of Erie, Pennsylvania. “It’s more of a peaceful get-together.”
Joel Ameigh, of Hershey, Pennsylvania, who had a Smith and Wesson handgun strapped to his belt, said he is not necessarily a Trump backer but wanted to hear from the speakers at the “America First” rally sponsored by Citizens for Trump.
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“We’re not here to be dangerous people. We’re not here to intimidate anyone. There are laws against that sort of thing,” he said.
The ambush killings of police officers earlier this month in Dallas and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over the weekend have heightened fears in Cleveland, with the president of the police union asking Ohio Gov. John Kasich to suspend the law allowing gun owners to carry firearms in plain sight. But Kasich said he doesn’t have that authority.
Separately, several hundred people chanted “Dump Trump now” while marching to another rally. Many demonstrators were upset with the Republican presidential candidate’s stand against illegal immigration.
“The people that are supporting him don’t see the real issue,” said Leonel Mejia, a Mexican immigrant who is in the country illegally and has lived in Minnesota since 2002.
“The African-American community, the Latino community and the Native American community are facing the same issues,” he said. “They’re facing economic issues. The people that support Trump are the poorer citizens of the United States. It’s a matter of class, not a matter of race.”
The demonstrators also used the event to protest what they called racist police practices. Several held signs calling for disarming the police, and at one point the crowd broke into a “black lives matter” chant.
Officers on bicycles and Indiana state troopers on convention security duty stood off to the side while a black speaker complained about police mistreatment.
Associated Press writer Mike Sisak contributed to this report.
18 responses to “Trump backers, some with guns, gather for first big rally”
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I would advise the protesters to be calm and peaceful. The armed citizens looks like they know how to use their weapons.
Like the brave ones in Dallas, who all ran away like little girls as soon as the murderer stared shooting at police. Every single one of them ran away while the people with actual bravery – other police officers – ran towards the violence.
It’s called false bravado, and it’s a personality disorder.
Interesting that those “little girls” you’re alluding to were there protesting against the police, who in turn rushed in to protect them. I’m truly hoping no violence happens in Cleveland, and I’m confident most everyone else feels the same way.
Your facts are all mixed up, as usual.
The open carry group was not protesting against the police. In Dallas, the open carry group was running a counter-demonstration, against BLM.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/armed-protesters-added-to-confusion-in-dallas-attack/269891077. Once again, you insert keyboard in mouth. The blm rally included roughly 20 or so armed protesters exercising their 2nd amendment right as they marched as protesters. I commend one for surrendering his weapon to police. It’s obvious you’ve never been in live fire situation, otherwise you’d understand the correct first response when receiving unidentified fire is to seek cover. And if you can ever, even once, show anyone where my facts are “mixed up”, then bring it.
What’s with that demonstrator taking a picture of LEOs there to protect her and everyone else? Trying to be annoying AND distract them from their work?
Those policemen on bikes don’t look very comfortable.
Something is definitely wrong with this picture. “The people that are supporting him don’t see the real issue,” said Leonel Mejia, a Mexican immigrant who is in the country illegally and has lived in Minnesota since 2002.
What stupid uniforms!
I didn’t say they are stupid, I said their uniforms are stupid. So the word “stupid” is not a permissible word anymore?
It’s a word that qualifies for “your comment is under moderation”.
A little on the sci-fi side but they wear it well.
A “Mexican immigrant who is in the country illegally”? He’s an illegal alien and isn’t an immigrant moving to this country permanently.
Guns? Are we going to have to call out the National Guard to protect peaceful Trump rallies from those radical leftist Democrats???
Speaking of guns, this whole Trump thing reminds me of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone. It’s about a guy who can see the future, and there’s also a man who comes out of nowhere and is about to be elected president. The future seer knows what that other guy wants to do when he becomes president (it involves The Button), so he gets a rifle, lies in wait for the candidate, and….
Uncle is watching you. Be careful out there.
Haha, I’m just a big Stephen King fan…. REDRUM!
Aren’t they being hypocrites by not allowing guns in the arena? I thought they were against “gun free zones”?