During a sweltering Monday in downtown Cleveland, the Republican National Convention was gaveled into session and protesters took to the streets. Here’s three things you need to know.
Outside In
The convention finally got underway inside Quicken Loans Arena Monday. But the fractures within the Republican party became readily apparent when a group of “never Trump” delegates attempted to force a roll call vote on the convention’s rules — a first step toward unbinding delegates — but were quashed before they could do so. They vowed to fight on. Monday also brought a bubbling up of the previously slow-simmering friction between the camps of Ohio Governor John Kasich and Donald Trump, with Trump advisor Paul Manafort saying that Kasich is “hurting his state and embarrassing his state” by choosing not to attend the convention. Later, in primetime, Melania Trump took the stage at The Q. Closer examination reveals that the presumptive nominee’s wife appears to have cribbed a section of her speech from a similar address Michelle Obama gave in 2008. The Trump campaign denied allegations of plagiarism. The circus atmosphere outside the arena seems to be taking hold inside as well.
Peaceful protests
Demonstrators continued to take to Cleveland’s streets Monday. Cleveland Magazine correspondents tracked one march that wound its way toward The Q, well away from the official route. Demonstrators rallied behind “Stop Trump” banners while championing immigration reform, an end to anti-Muslim rhetoric and police reform. One protestor, an Anglican minister, walked from Chicago to Cleveland to deliver his message. Elsewhere, a group rallied before a concert by the protest supergroup Prophets of Rage. Citizens for Trump also held a rally on the official route at Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. Despite hundreds of participants, there was only one arrest the entire day. Community activist Kathy Wray Coleman was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant after speaking at the speaker’s podium on Public Square, Cleveland.com’s Jane Morice reported. Opposing protest groups were often scrunched together, but physical confrontation was avoided due to occasional interventions by police bicycle units. In the evening, a bomb scare shut down a garage at East 6th Street and Euclid Avenue briefly, reported Cleveland.com. Police found nothing. So far the violence that was fretted about last week has not materialized, despite some tense moments.
Weirdness
Overnight, Public Square became a gathering place for convention oddities. Agitators from the Westboro Baptist Church, a bearded fellow carrying a cross, Black Lives Matter activists, anti-socialist protesters, open carry advocates and a man selling Donald Trump whoopee cushions all shared the same real estate. From the speaker’s platform the Imperial Women’s Coalition’s calls for unity echoed across the square. The group’s leader, Coleman, would later be arrested. The scene made for a surreal and constantly shifting mash up. The only constant: news cameras everywhere. Stop by. It's an experience like no other.
What we’re looking forward to tonight
Inside The Q, the focus will be on workforce and economics — “Make America Work Again.” Speakers include Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former candidate Ben Carson, pro golfer Natalie Gulbis and UFC president Dana White.
Protests are also expected during the day, including an anti-Trump demonstration set to kick off on the official parade route in the afternoon.
Our correspondents will be covering proceedings both inside and outside The Q. Follow along on social media.
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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