Rock the Night in CLE Welcome Party
Thrown by the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee, the North Coast Harbor shindig was open to credentialed media and delegates. Throngs of people from across the country mingled at Voinovich Bicentennial Park among a smattering of food trucks and stalls from Cleveland chefs such as Jonathon Sawyer, Rocco Whalen and Douglas Katz. A group from Inlet Dance Theatre rollicked in the grass. Up the hill, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was packed. A line of people — many decked out in Donald Trump regalia — waited to get in the door. Other than an (almost) life size red elephant, the biggest surprise of the night was Late Show host Stephen Colbert, who took a stroll through the Rock Hall then set up shop on a hill overlooking the harbor to shoot a segment for his show called “Trump or False.”
The comedian also briefly took the stage at The Q before being forced off by security. Also sighted: Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, Wisconsin governor and former presidential candidate Scott Walker, Cleveland city council members Zack Reed and Brian Cummins, Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams riding a bicycle and The Apprentice star Omarosa. All in all, a hell of a party.Colbert in CLE #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/MVC1ZX9X0C
— Sheehan Hannan (@SheehanHannan) July 17, 2016
Protests have started
Peaceful demonstrations began over the weekend. Cleveland.com reported about 150 demonstrators taking part in a “Shut Down Trump and the RNC” march Sunday. The news outlet reported a lone arrest after a protester attempted to grab a state trooper’s gas mask. The protesters paused briefly outside the Cleveland Magazine offices in Playhouse Square.
Another group of about 100, affiliated with the National Convention of the Oppressed-Black Unity Convention, marched to Perk Plaza Saturday, reported Cleveland.com. Speakers included professor Cornel West and former New Black Panther Party leader Malik Shabazz. After a weekend bustling with demonstrations, more are expected this week.Protesters turning from E. 14th Street to Euclid Ave. in Playhouse Square. #RNCinCle pic.twitter.com/eA6GlTg3k1
— Cleveland Magazine (@ClevelandMag) July 17, 2016
Secure to a T
With barriers up and a heavy police presence, downtown feels like a walled city — albeit one specked with vendors hawking Trump merchandise. At the welcome party Sunday, Coast Guard boats equipped with machine guns cruised the waters of Lake Erie within view of Voinovich Park and U.S. Secret Service officers manned security checkpoints. “Downtown Cleveland had a different feel on Saturday beyond the barriers,” wrote the Associated Press’ Mark Gillispie. “Police officers traveled streets wedged inside all-terrain vehicles. Laws enforcement and military-type helicopters buzzed and hovered in restricted airspace downtown.” The streets surrounding the Gateway district are either restricted to local traffic or outright closed today. And downtown seems to have been largely abandoned by commuters. For this week at least, Cleveland will be all Republican, all the time.
What we’re looking forward to today
Monday marks the first day that the speaker’s platform on the newly renovated Public Square will be open. Half hour slots have already been booked. According to a schedule released by the Ohio ACLU and the National Lawyer’s Guild, speakers range from Black on Black Crime’s Al Porter to Cuyahoga County public defender and all-around good at Twitter guy Scott Roger Hurley. According to the same schedule, marches are expected throughout the day, including Citizens for Trump on the official parade route beginning at 2 p.m. A licensed demonstration against poverty by Organize Ohio also begins at East 45th Street and Superior Avenue at 3 p.m and is planned to end at Perk Plaza.
Official festivities kick off inside The Q today. The theme is “Make America Safe Again.” Speakers will include Donald Trump’s wife Melania Trump, Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, former Texas governor Rick Perry and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Our reporters will be roaming the city and The Q throughout the day, so follow us on social media for the latest.
Twitter: @clevelandmag
Instagram: @clevelandmagazine
Reporting via Twitter
Sheehan Hannan: @sheehanhannan
James Bigley II: @jc_bigz
Steve Gleydura: @cle_steve
Kim Schneider: @kimberschneider
Jason Brill: @TheBrilla
Kelly Petryszyn: @Kelly_Pet
Charlee Ottersberg: @ottercharlee