Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to show up in Cleveland this week for the Republican National Convention. Muslim groups. Anit-Muslim groups. Mexican groups. Anti-immigration groups. Black Live Matter. Anti-Trump groups. Pro-Trump groups. The West Borrow Baptist Church. Code Pink. And a host of other conservitive and liberal causes.
Suffice to say, there's going to be a lot of contention among the protesters. Protesters mad at the RNC. And protesters mad at other protesters. What really makes this a disaster waiting to happen is Ohio has an Open Carry law and protesters will be allowed to bring their guns. It doesn't matter if its a pistol on your hip, a shotgun draped over your arm, or a assault rifle strapped across your back it's all perfectly legal (ironically toy guns and water pistols will banned in the protest area though).
The New Black Panthers and the Oathkeepers (a white militia group) have also both promised to come armed. I can't think of the last time we had is such a politically and culturally charged event where people with diametrically opposed views are going to be in direct contact with each other - much less armed with guns. Despite the police bests efforts, I'm not sure which the right question to be asking. Should I be wondering if a protester or cop is going to get shot over the next three days? Or should I be asking how high the death toll will be?
Maybe I'll just stay away from my social media and TV this week . . .
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