Protesters and police officers squared off starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19. Protests began at East 17 Street and Euclid Avenue.
A group known as "By the Believers" protested on the edge of Cleveland State University off Euclid Ave.
Protesters and police square off in Cleveland during convention
Protesters on E. 17th St and Euclid Ave. They are escorted by police officers on bikes. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/HhAJolJDVa
— Rachel Fradette (@Rachel_Fradette) July 19, 2016
The group held up signs and shouted at "rival" group, the Westboro Baptist Church, who were picketing near the street.
Police on foot and bike stayed near the two groups as they faced off for about a half hour.
Large Police presence at Euclid Ave. and E.18th St. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/3e3UKUxTuC
— Rachel Fradette (@Rachel_Fradette) July 19, 2016
Police officers filled Public Square in lines on bikes, horseback and foot.
Police outnumbered protesters in the square located by Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Several groups were protesting including Black Lives Matter, Westboro Baptist Church, Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, an anarchist group and a group with Jesuspreacher.com on their signs.
The protests were peaceful to a certain extent, but tension grew between police and protesters.
Police numbers growing in Public Square. #RNCinCLE @thesnews pic.twitter.com/6GusxBOXKf
— Rachel Fradette (@Rachel_Fradette) July 19, 2016
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After, the groups began to get more heated, specifically with each other, police brought in more numbers within the square and its surrounding area.
Police moving back protesters with large BLM sign. #RNCinCLE @thesnews pic.twitter.com/PzIMdwuMJw
— Rachel Fradette (@Rachel_Fradette) July 19, 2016
The protest moved out of the square and to surrounding roads near Superior Ave.
Protesters and police exiting the Square.@thesnews pic.twitter.com/QId6QUpv0W
— Rachel Fradette (@Rachel_Fradette) July 19, 2016
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Protests have escalated since yesterday, where only two groups held protests amounting to less than 500 people.
