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Cleveland Steels Itself for Violence at the Republican National Convention

The police department is buying 2,000 new sets of riot gear, even as it begins mandated reforms monitored by the DOJ.
A protester outside a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 12.Rebecca Cook/Reuters
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In advance of the Republican National Convention in July, Cleveland is looking to boost its police department’s power by purchasing 2,000 sets of riot gear. The violence that attended Friday’s rally for Donald Trump in Chicago doesn’t explain why, either. Cleveland put its plans in motion before that eruption between protesters and Trump supporters.

Cleveland has a lot riding on this RNC gathering. Last August, the city shined as the host of the first Republican debate. Last March, the City Club of Cleveland even convened a panel to discuss various ways the city might prepare for the convention, when all eyes will be on Cleveland. One of the big efforts underway, the $50 million renovation of Public Square by James Corner Field Operations, is on track to finish early, in time for the big dance.

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Cleveland Steels Itself for Violence at the Republican National Convention
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