Minnesota man organizing peaceful march at RNC
By Mark Zdechlik, MPR News
As the Republican National Convention gets underway in Cleveland Monday, the city is bracing for possible violence.
A Minnesota man has been organizing what he says will be a peaceful march on the convention later Monday.
Mick Kelly of Minneapolis organized demonstrations at the past two RNCs in Tampa, Fla., and St. Paul. He said he expects his "Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC" will attract thousands of peaceful demonstrators.
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"What we're planning is a large family friendly protest. You can feel safe bringing your kids in a stroller. We think people from all walks of life -- blue-collar people, students, immigrants -- are going to be here and taking the message to the Republican National Convention and we think it will be entirely safe," said Kelly standing at the site of the protest Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland is awash with law enforcement and miles of temporary fencing as the city braces for possible rioting.
Kelly said he’s been working with officials in Cleveland to make his demonstration possible. He said the intent is to send a clear message to Republicans on day one of their national convention.
“American people don't stand with the bigot Trump,” said Kelly. “In fact, we're opposed to the Republican agenda. We're opposed to an agenda of racist discrimination, anti-Muslim bigotry, the baiting of Mexicans, talking about building a wall."
Minnesota delegate Matthew Pagano of St. Paul arrived in Cleveland Sunday afternoon. Pagano said he expects protests but said he was not concerned about his personal security.
“Any big public event you have risks whether it’s a sporting event or a political event like this,” said Pagano, who also noted the “smothering” law enforcement presence was good to see.
Pagano was elected as a Marco Rubio delegate, but said he’s on board with the Trump campaign now. He said Trump's vice presidential pick of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was a good choice and sent a message to conservatives that he’s with them.
“He has a lot of conservative credentials on a lot of fronts and he’s very much a known quantity or movement conservative who might have been suspicious about Donald Trump,” Pagano said.
Pagano said he hopes the convention will bring together the Republican base and allow Trump to focus on bringing new people into the party so he can win the presidential election this fall.