Police did not identify any of those arrested Wednesday. Charges against those arrested included felonious assault on a police officer, failure to disperse and resisting arrest.
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Tents, ladders, coolers, canned goods, tennis balls and bicycle locks are banned in the area surrounding the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
The incident led the head of Cleveland’s largest police union to call on the Ohio Governor to temporarily suspend the state’s law allowing people to openly carry guns during the Republican convention, which begins Monday.
Protests outside the Republican National Convention have been peaceful, but police have received at least a dozen calls so far related to concerns about the small groups of black-clad anarchists who often don masks during demonstrations and other protests. There was no property damage reported in downtown Cleveland, Williams said.
City officials said police arrested one woman on a standing warrant after she jumped on a public stage and grabbed a microphone from a speaker.
At that point, dozens more officers broke up the circle and formed a perimeter as two of the flag burners were arrested. For instance, in Texas, where a shooting recently left five Dallas police officers dead and wounded several more, a permit is required to carry a handgun but is not for a rifle or shotgun.
He says those in custody will be formally booked at a city booking center.
With tensions high and a series of rallies planned, many Trump supporters and protesters alike agreed that guns would likely exacerbate an already potentially risky situation.
Some of the protesters appeared to be marching toward the arena where the convention is being held, while others split off in different directions.
In Cleveland, there is a layered security approach being taken for the four day event, including outside help from police forces across America. Mr. Kasich says the bonds between communities and police must be reset and rebuilt.
The scene settled down quickly, and after order was restored the protesters outside the Republican National Convention were being kept apart.
As the convention goes on as scheduled, Mr. Loomis of the police union told CNN that law enforcement will be “looking very, very hard at anyone who has an open carry”.
“Whatever they tried to do with the flag, as we were trying to extinguish it and they were trying to keep it away, their trousers leg caught on fire”, said Williams, who was at the protest.
Officers, some wearing riot helmets, yelled at the crowd to move back as members of the flag-burning group locked arms amid chants of “It’s time, it’s time for a revolution”.
“We’re still out there, we’re still vigilant, to make sure we finish this day and the last day tomorrow on a positive note”, Police Chief Calvin Williams said at a media briefing Wednesday evening.
Police used their horses to create a path to a van for people being detained.
Pockets of people spread around the square promoting various causes Wednesday contributed to a carnival-like atmosphere.
About one third of those officers will be joining thousands of law enforcement officers from around the state and the country in providing security during the convention.
A group of doctors and nurses plans to march in Cleveland in protest of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
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Trump says in a phone interview with “Fox & Friends” that he’d “love to be there when my wife speaks”.
