There was quite a bit of buzz online last week after Hashim Nzinga, chairman of the New Black Panther Party, told Reuters that his organization was planning an armed protest outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland “if it is an open state to carry.” (It is.)
As Twitchy reported, the New Black Panthers weren’t the only ones planning to exercise their right to carry arms openly, although according to a local TV reporter, the New Black Panthers passed on their armed protest. In fact, things in Cleveland have (so far) been remarkably calm, with police reporting only five arrests as of Tuesday morning.
#RNCinCLE so far 5 arrests, all minor incidents.
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) July 19, 2016
Malik Shabazz, former National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, must be disappointed. On Saturday, his National March and Massive Rally Against Racism, Injustice and White Supremacy in Cleveland attracted fewer than 100 people, and on Monday night he told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly he expected violence in the streets by the end of the Republican National Convention.
Malik Shabazz says he doubts we’ll make it through #RNCinCLE without violence in the streets – that interview coming up on #KellyFile.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) July 19, 2016
Here’s hoping that Shabazz is as wrong in that prediction as he was predicting 10,000 at the “massive” rally he organized. Open carry hasn’t proved yet to be the disaster some feared.
#RNCinCLE: Open carry gun law on full display outside @TerminaltowerCL. #Cleveland. #GOPinCLE. pic.twitter.com/3Ep1MnMnRR
— Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) July 19, 2016
#RNCinCLE: West OH Minutemen walking through streets of #CLE armed "to protect people." Police following. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/6QImXYEO9r
— Tara Molina (@TaraMolinaTV) July 18, 2016
West Ohio Minutemen exercising their second amendment/"open carry" rights in downtown Cleveland during #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/QW7NjNc9R4
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) July 19, 2016
VIDEO: Open carry in action in Public Square #RNCinCLE #gopconvention pic.twitter.com/ko6Nm8WfzA
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 19, 2016
Dan Stevenson from Lima, Oh & his Ak-47 + Glock 17. Says he's here to make sure 'everyone goes home safe' #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/bmamDcBSiY
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 19, 2016
Many carrying guns described themselves as pro-Trump, but certainly not all.
A man from Yellow Springs, OH traveled here to protest against Trump #opencarry #RNCinCLE #RNC2016 #ClevelandRising pic.twitter.com/gIg1yvm84g
— Erin M. Steinberg (@esteinberg22) July 19, 2016
Armed demonstrator speaks with other protestors on Public Square. #RNCinCLE #RNCcle19 pic.twitter.com/8Hf0G1xCS7
— Jennifer Picciano (@jenpicciano) July 19, 2016
Day two of the #RNC and second day in a row seeing people carrying assault rifles in Public Square. @WEWS #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/X4HKMSEteH
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) July 19, 2016
Note: He said “assault rifles” — we didn’t.
The guy above was seen just about everywhere, including shaking hands with law enforcement.
https://twitter.com/TreyYingst/status/755491277773373442
His pal, also a Trump protester, was also carrying, and we award him the distinction of Open Carry Photo of the Day.
"I am out here because I am scared to death of #DonaldTrump becoming president." #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/L6fp86bhEE
— Linsey Davis (@LinseyDavis) July 19, 2016
There’s still a chance that there could be trouble (there are currently reports of some pushing and shoving in Public Square), but let’s hope Shabazz and fellow agitators have a really, really boring time in Cleveland.
One minute: we promised hugs. Word is that the Huffington Post’s Jennifer Bendery brokered this brief love fest between an armed Trump supporter and a protester from Code Pink offering free hugs.
An open carry Trump supporter and Code Pink protester come together thanks to @jbendery #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/saYXUYbK63
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) July 19, 2016
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