Police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon.
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He says police had fire extinguishers during the event in which a flag was burned in protest.
“I just ducked and rolled”, said Jacob Lutz, a Cleveland State University graduate student who went to the protests on Public Square with one of his professors.
Cleveland’s police have been under a federal monitor since 2014, when the Justice Department found they disproportionately used force against blacks.
A police officer responded to put the flames out, and the protester punched and pushed the officer, Williams said.
“You’re on fire! You’re on fire, stupid!” a Cleveland officer shouted as he wielded a can of extinguishing spray.
A group calling itself the Revolution Club had alerted reporters that they meant to burn the flag to protest US policies, particularly military intervention overseas.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said that he spent three hours Tuesday evening riding with bicycle officers on patrol and that he waded into one confrontation because he’s “still a police officer”.
Williams said police have changed their tactics in response to recent attacks including the one in Nice, France, on July 14 by placing barriers or barricades at key streets and intersections downtown.
The health commissioner says officials are working to prevent any sick people from getting on planes.
A law enforcement officer clashes with a protester who is holding a burning American flag on Wednesday, July 20 in Cleveland during the third day of the Republican convention.
“The police are doing a great job, and the protesters are doing a great job, ” Hambley said.
The 56-year-old Roshetsky says he’s become emotional several times over the overwhelming support he and his fellow officers have received from people in town for the convention.
At the Cleveland convention, Cruz had suggested that people vote their “conscience for anyone who will uphold the Constitution”.
After a relatively subdued first day, protests gained steam at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday (July 19).
“Why in the world do people feel like they have to have those guns”, said Wright.
John Antoniello, a delegate from Staten Island said he was “extremely” upset Cruz didn’t back the nominee. She recounted how she became a US citizen and she cited “the love in the Trump family”.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams announced the new public policy Tuesday, telling protesters in part, “If you are a member of a group that causes you to have to hide your face, then you probably need a different cause”.
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Protest groups were originally expected to be much more organized and significantly larger, but the gatherings thus far have turned out to be sparsely attended and frequently canceled.
