It’s been a crazy week for law enforcement in downtown Cleveland as the Republican National Convention rolls on, but even at the peak of yesterday’s protests, when a demonstrator with the Revolutionary Communist Party lit an American flag (and himself) on fire, arrests were kept to a minimum.
Chief: Total of 23 arrests @WEWS
— Sarah Phinney (@sarahphinneytv) July 21, 2016
Chief: I don't think open carry has been an issue. No one has been arrested or challenged anything we've told them to do. @WEWS
— Sarah Phinney (@sarahphinneytv) July 21, 2016
As Twitchy reported, police have responded to vulgar insults with smiles and kept their cool as a man with young children protesting the shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice taunted them with toy guns. However, police also have been applauded in the streets, hugged at an anti-cop rally, and maybe best of all, high-fived by this young pair.
High-fives from someone half your size mean everything. Brother & sister fist-bump @OSHP #RNCinCLE by @BridgetteWEWS pic.twitter.com/eu0JCKkOsr
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 21, 2016
If anyone isn’t moved by that video and feels the need for balance, check out yesterday’s protests where young activists demanded that cities shut down their police departments and invest the savings in youth programs.
Or, check out these photos instead.
A kid is running around Public Square in Cleveland, fist-bumping every police officer he sees. pic.twitter.com/jJMR0BTFQo
— Scott Bixby (@scottbix) July 19, 2016
Ladies of OnPoint salon handing out H20 to PD. Columbus officer:'wow no one's ever been this nice to us!' #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/LOJlXyj0VF
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 20, 2016
.@CLEpolice thankful for all the donated water, sports drinks & fresh fruit that is helping keep officers hydrated. pic.twitter.com/3y4OuYpxXI
— Julia Tullos (@JTullosCBS19) July 21, 2016
Cleveland bike patrol team with Volcanic Bikes and Tiger Mountain Tactical to give a 13 yr old a new bike!#RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/XmiGlLFqWf
— Peggy Gallek (@PeggyGallek) July 19, 2016
Police gift #Cleveland boy with new bike, helmet https://t.co/dTNIIWSExq pic.twitter.com/LAvu2XQnCd
— News 5 Cleveland (@WEWS) July 21, 2016
Troopers from @UtahDPS @IndStatePolice @WisconsinDOT try to win over 4yo Silvia's affection #RNCinCLE @BridgetteWEWS pic.twitter.com/88ZANF0skc
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 21, 2016
CUTEST MOMENT EVER! Troopers from Utah, Wisconsin & Indiana fighting to give 4yo Silvia their badges @WEWS #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/H9yvTlfem0
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 20, 2016
Woman went one-by-one to hug these California Highway Patrol troopers, made them smile. Caught by @AbeTV5 #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/WuXy6u3ZDd
— Homa Bash (@HomaBashWEWS) July 21, 2016
A swarm of security and media just ran across Public Square following a loud noise … Turned out to be a blown tire. #RNCinCLE
— Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) July 20, 2016
Ohio State Highway patrol helping change a flat tire on Euclid Ave #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/XqrMEdmLZX
— John Harper (@JC_HARP) July 20, 2016
This is the community-building that the president spent all week talking about, right? Or maybe it was always there, and no one bothered to notice.
Update:
More high fives! This is a trend we can fully support.
Gregory and Ga-quil Johnson, 7-year old twins from Cleveland, greet officers from @MSHPTrooperGHQ during #RNCinCLE. pic.twitter.com/cS45u2cjDE
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) July 21, 2016
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