No one knows what to expect inside and outside of the Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, between July 18 and 21. Expectations vary as law enforcement, local government, and the Secret Service make plans for any possibility. Inside of Quicken Loans Arena the crowd will be loud but controlled. Although 50,000 individuals signed a petition to allow loaded guns inside of the event, the Secret Service denied their request.
Outside there is a different story. Ohio allows weapons under its open carry law. In prior events the city has attempted to prohibit guns near events containing large numbers of people, but failed. Only action by the legislature and Governor John Kasich can prohibit firearms in the immediate area. The legislature will not be in session, and Kasich has an A+ rating from the NRA.
Multiple groups are expected to protest during the event. Anti-Donald Trump groups will surely attend. Thousands of Hispanics will likely arrive early on July 18th. Residents of Flint, Michigan, will travel the 250 miles to protest Republicans after one of their own destroyed the water supply. Because Republicans believe that minorities do not receive treatment from law enforcement which is different from their white counter parts, Black Lives Matter will attend. The Cleveland Police Department has one of the worst records in the nation. Other groups who may join the protests are Muslim-Americans and women’s groups.
Here’s the truth, whether it offends you or not, the statistics are undeniable. The United States is the most violent nation in the developed world. No other country has as many guns per capita as America. Ours is the only nation in the world which has more than 33,000 deaths related to gun use annually; the majority of whom are women and children.
Would it be a surprise if someone in the crowd uses a gun in Cleveland? Not at all. Obviously the authorities are fearful of violence; they will have more than 4,000 police officers near and around the event.
I fear one possibility more than all of the others. The Ku Klux Klan has voiced their support for Trump. If they show up in their white robes, a clash between them and black protestors is almost inevitable. I cannot foresee how the Cleveland Police Department could control such a disaster.
This entire situation would be much safer if John Kasich and the state’s lawmakers would pass a temporary ordinance forbidding guns near the event. Why is it that Republican lawmakers believe that the NRA gun lobby is more important than the safety of the general public?
The convention could become the first “reality television show.” Those we see on network and cable television have outlined dialogue, directors, cameramen, and the events are planned. This situation in Cleveland could become dangerous, but great for ratings.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 