City leaders anticipate increased number of protests, displays of free speech during RNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Republican National Convention is only a few months away. The president, Republican leaders and delegates will all be in Charlotte.

We are also anticipating protests and other displays of free speech.

When you consider the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland and the RNC coming to Charlotte in August, the biggest difference might be Donald Trump. In 2016, he was a candidate but now, he is a sitting president.

Since his election, common ground on many political issues has been hard to find.

Jared Klebanow, a civil rights attorney, is a Cleveland native. During the RNC in 2016, he saw protests and demonstrations in his city including an American flag burning display in downtown.

Klebanow said many people didn’t know much about Donald Trump then, before his presidency. He expects bigger demonstrations in Charlotte.

“Going into Charlotte 2020, we have a better understanding of the type of president that he is,” Klebanow said. “Some of the policies that he stands for and really who has backed and who and what issues he has pushed to the forefront. We’re going to see the polarized groups of protesters come out in full force.”

Still, Klebanow believes Charlotte is ready. In November, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Secret Service and the FBI discussed RNC security.

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They didn’t share specifics, but said their most important goal is protecting the public.

You can expect all of the agencies involved will pull from experience gained from the Democratic National Convention, but a lot has changed in Charlotte since 2012.

Gemini Boyd with Project BOLT, which helps Charlotte’s youth, said he knows what it is like to lead local marches and demonstrations.

“I’m just praying to God that it will be a safe environment,” Boyd said. “We don’t know the temperature of the city yet.”

Boyd told Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tolison he is not looking forward to the RNC. His biggest concern is that African American and Brown communities won’t have a voice at City Hall as the RNC approaches.

“What our leaders need to do is just really reach out to local leaders, organizers in the city and say ‘Hey, how can we get your viewpoint on this. This is what we’re laying out,’” Boyd said.

Until that happens, he said he and many others won’t feel that the city is safe or prepared.

“End of August is going, you’re going to blink and it’s going to be here,” Boyd said.

It will be here and then it will be gone, but what will it leave behind? Klebanow said despite some turmoil, the RNC was good for his city and he thinks Charlotte will also shine in the national spotlight.

“Even though it is going to be a political event, it is an opportunity for the city to make it more and to really show off everything that Charlotte has to offer,” Klebanow said.

Channel 9 has been asking the city about its plans for the RNC and not just about security. A city official told us Monday they are working on our request.

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