Thousands will gather in Cleveland and Philadelphia next month for the Republican and Democratic conventions, but not all will be attending the official proceedings. Many will be there to protest the presumed nominees, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and can expect to face enhanced law enforcement, tough municipal rules and stiff opposition from party leaders.
Anti-Trump protesters expected to show up in Cleveland, including both conservatives and liberals, have railed against the city's restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.
Marches must take place in less than an hour, early in the morning, and must stick to a route that takes them far from the Quicken Loans Arena, the convention site, and over a span that protesters have dubbed "a bridge to nowhere," according to
The New York Times.
The Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, headed by Executive Director Christine Link, is suing the city over the restrictions, claiming they violate protesters' First Amendment rights.
The Cleveland Police Department estimates it will need 5,000 officers for the convention, and Police Chief Calvin Williams has reached out across the nation to request additional manpower. Austin, Texas will send over 80 officers, Louisville, Kentucky offered 30, but many cities are reluctant to participate, according to
NewsChannel5 in Cleveland.
Some, including Seattle and Chicago, made initial commitments and then backed out.
Down in Philadelphia, Bernie Sanders supporters have been practicing protest techniques against what they see as a corrupt process. If the police try to arrest them, they'll link arms, if the police use tear gas, they'll put on swimming goggles and wrap bandanas soaked in vinegar around their faces, but protest organizers refuse to advocate violence.
Kim Huynh, a protest organizer who works with the group Democracy Spring, told
CNN that she advised would-be demonstrators on how to respond to police, by helping each other stay calm.
By doing so, she said she hope protesters can send a message to the world and encourage others to join them.
This
Facebook page, organizing a march on the DNC, has almost 7,000 people signed up to protest. Visitors can sign up to take a 'Bernie Bus' to the city, and find a place to stay with other Sanders supporters.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.