While today’s RNC demonstrations have been mostly peaceful, a small group of protesters clashed briefly with police outside the Republican convention in Cleveland Wednesday afternoon after the demonstrators attempted to burn an American flag.
Police in riot gear and on horseback moved in quickly to quell the disturbance, and several protesters struggled with police before being put in handcuffs. Approximately eight people were taken into custody and loaded into two Cleveland police vans.
Two officers were assaulted and suffered minor injuries, the Cleveland police department said on their verified Twitter account. The police department also posted a photo of shreds of a singed American flag it said protesters attempted to destroy.
The protest began outside one of the main gates to the secure zone around the convention, where vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is scheduled to speak later Wednesday.
It was unclear immediately who the protesters were, but some shouted, “Revolution Club.” Others wore T-shirts that said, “Revolution — Nothing Less!”
Within 30 minutes, the protest had largely dissipated and the gates were reopened to the convention’s secure area.
Police ordered bystanders, including the sizable number of reporters and TV cameras, to disperse, threatening to arrest anybody who ignored the order.
Before the convention began, there were significant security concerns, particularly in the wake of recent police shootings. But the city has been largely peaceful, with minimal arrests related to protests.
Security has been extremely tight, with extra police officers coming from as far away as California and Florida.
Shuffles at gates, police fighting with protesters, shoving press, moving in horses #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/en578kDaB5
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Arrestees being loaded into vans, some police in riot gear #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/A2HyI57sey
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
At least six people being held by police to be loaded onto vans #RNCinCLE #RNC2016 #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/Rc1nB0DSC7
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Police in riot gear near the gates #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/mLTXvWAMvG
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Police now threatening arrest for anyone who doesn’t move east #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/GlLMB2JfKS
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Arrested being loaded onto vans with a congressman right behind me #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/7o4FuKzfLv
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Earlier outside the gates of #RNCinCLE– can’t tell if this is pepper spray #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/93h9Bk6Rlv
— Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 20, 2016
Scene of the arrests outside of the arena, which took place a little after four. @Gothamist #rncincle pic.twitter.com/in1AmU984a
— Max RN (@MaxRivlinNadler) July 20, 2016
The post Caught On Tape: Protesters Clash With Police Outside Republican Convention appeared first on crude-oil.top.