While the Secret Service is responsible for security at the convention hall itself, Williams – a 52-year-old black man who has been chief for 2½ years – is in charge of the rest of Cleveland, with help from thousands of local, state and federal law enforcement officers.
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The chief complaint about the police during the convention was the delayed release of those who were arrested.
Johnson was the defendant in the case that led to the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled flag-burning constitutional.
The Boston Herald reports that members from “Bikers for Trump”, a group formed to “promote and coordinate peaceful Bikers for Trump™ rallies and events nationwide”, confronted a group of protesters outside of the RNC convention who were in the process of burning the American flag.
The total number of arrested since the start of the GOP convention in Cleveland now stands at 23. Counter protesters angry with the flag burners then became angry, Williams said, and police were there to keep the peace when things went awry.
Cops rushed in to extinguish the flames and order the protesters to disperse.
Cleveland police tweeted the officers’ injuries were minor.
“I think having a semi-police state – even for a week – is a unsafe situation and I don’t think they needed 5,000 (officers)”, said civil rights attorney Terry Gilbert.
The Cleveland police department has been embattled for much of the two-year run-up to the Republican National Convention, sparking many to predict doom for how officers would interact with the public on the worldwide stage. “Stay on the sidewalk”, Lt. Michael Butler said as the demonstrators made their way. At rallies, police officers appeared swiftly and often outnumbered the protesters.
The other 15 were charged with a misdemeanor offense of inciting violence near the Quicken Loans Arena.
Aside from a fracas Wednesday over a group’s attempt to burn a USA flag, the drama in Cleveland this week was confined to the convention hall itself.
The fears of bloodshed were stoked by the ambush killings of eight police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earlier this month and by Ohio’s open-carry law, which allows gun owners to carry their weapons in plain sight. Protesters also burned an American flag during the demonstrations.
What’s in store for the convention’s fourth and final day Thursday?
Police later told delegates to line up in the middle of the street and ordered bystanders to leave.
There were more than one hundred police officers at the scene on Wednesday, including some on bicycles and horseback, and dozens clad in riot gear, according to the Sputnik correspondent.
Multiple people with their hands cuffed behind them have been detained by police in the most chaotic protest to hit the National Republican Convention.
Indeed, the police presence in downtown Cleveland is hard to miss-not only officers from OH but thousands of state troopers from around the country, moving around the area in small groups.
“You’re on fire! You’re on fire, stupid.”
The majority of the protesting has occurred in Public Square, a central plaza close to the arena. Some played ping pong with visitors to the square while others kicked a soccer ball around with children. The group had a parade permit for up to 5,000 people.
Two women kissed in front of a group saying gay people were going to hell.
The banner also included “Ban Fracking” and “Tear Down The Wall”, a reference to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call to build a wall between the US and Mexico to stop illegal immigration.
There were no signs of trouble. More skirmishes broke out at one intersection.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, “It’s an unlawful gathering”.
Williams ended the melee by grabbing Alex Jones by the arm and hustling him away from the square.
Under Tuesday’s sweltering heat, Public Square was primed to burst by 4 p.m. They will be arraigned in 24 to 48 hours.
Williams says bicycle officers moved in several times to keep sniping between groups from becoming violent.
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Marni Halasa of Bath wore a pink butterfly costume with a sign reading, “Let’s let democracy fly”, to get the media’s attention, she said. Norovirus can be contracted from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. “Donald Trump will say whatever he can to get whatever he wants”.
