On convention opening day, 1,000 march on RNC

On the opening day of the Republican National Convention, the Coalition to Dump Trump and March on the RNC led 1,000 people in a spirited march through downtown Cleveland to near the site of the convention.

Speakers at the July 18 demonstration included representatives from the New Students for a Democratic Society, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, the Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the International Action Center, the Anti-War Committee and Workers World Party, among many others. A statement was read on behalf of Rasmea Odeh, a Palestinian freedom fighter living in the U.S. who has been the target of political repression by the U.S. government.

“We say no to the attacks on immigrants, on Muslims! We say no to Trump greenlighting police killings!” said Mick Kelly, an organizer with the Coalition to March on the RNC, in the opening rally. He continued, “We say no to an agenda of war and austerity! We are united in promoting peace, justice and equality. In the period ahead, we have some real challenges — challenges that we are going to rise to!”

The march took the streets of downtown Cleveland with militant chants denouncing the demagoguery and racism of Trump and the right wing.