RNC Day 1 - Hundreds March Against Trump & Poverty

Cleveland, OH – Day one of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland was filled with thousands more police than protesters. Two separate protests amassed in rallies attended by hundreds that then marched through the streets chanting against Trump.

The first planned march started with a rally in early afternoon at Mall A and marched a little after 12 o’clock noon. Unicorn Riot live-tweeted this action. The march included an arrest and a police officer violently smashing a press camera.

March to #DumpTrump is hundreds deep in dt #Cleveland #ResistRNC #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/RhtCw8mNnw

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

As the march snaked through downtown Cleveland bringing its anti-Trump, pro-immigrant rights message, it was flanked by hundreds of police. Although the protesters jumped barricades, the closest they were able to bring their message to the Republican Convention was Prospect Avenue, where they were still blocks away from the main event.

#DumpTrump Protesters jump barricades on Prospect Ave #ResistRNC #organizeCLE #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/jPXAgoSTT2

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

Marshals in the back of this march faced outwards towards the bicycle police in effort to protect the protesters.

Protesters block bike cops from moving through crowd #organizeCLE #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/kdyKKe3QVW

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

#DumpTrump march heads down 6th St. w a mass of bike police hot on their trail. #ResistRNC #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/DZiYZWvXs3

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

The march did see one arrest of a local activist, supposedly on the basis of an outstanding warrant. Beyond that, it peacefully ended at the location it started.

Things got dicey after that as a group quoting Bible verses started to scream down upon the crowd, shouting homophobic slurs. Police eventually broke the group up by violently pushing people (mostly press) with their bikes.

Bike police violently push press away from pro-Trump Bible speakers yelling at those here to #ResistRNC #organizeCLE pic.twitter.com/KR10Vnvro7

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

The second action, named ‘End Poverty Now’ began with a rally that had speakers and performances by Rebel Diaz and the newly formed super-group Prophets of Rage. A march ensued after, which we broadcasted live.

LIVE Tom Morello calls for everyone to march, starts Bulls on Parade https://t.co/3hddgOMoqZ #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/2LrF4ksGFV

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

The march headed downtown, and in similar fashion as the earlier march, it was flanked by dozens of police officers from a variety of states.

Anti-Trump march pauses at E 39th & Payne- several blocks long now #ResistRNC #RNCinCLE https://t.co/3hddgOMoqZ pic.twitter.com/9TAos15Bhf

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

Dozens of police bikes, cars & arrest vans at back of march. We are live in the front: https://t.co/3hddgOMoqZ pic.twitter.com/N34lQRp0d5

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) July 18, 2016

The march ended in downtown with speeches.

The day featured a vast showing of numbers by police forces from all-over the United States of America. There were numerous incidents of police detaining protesters who wore masks and searching them. They were also following small groups of protesters en masse. A person was arrested for having a gas mask later on day 1 of the RNC.

For our LIVE streams of the day, watch below: