Anti-Trump protesters blocked traffic and clashed with police Sunday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC).
Sunday marked the third night of demonstrations in Charlotte, where President Donald Trump is set to accept the Republican presidential nomination Monday night, Reuters reported. Around 100 people gathered near the Westin Charlotte hotel, where the RNC delegates are located. (RELATED: CNN Guest Says RNC Will Be A ‘Major Medical And Political Disinformation Event’)
Protesters moved traffic cones, barricades, and trash cans to block traffic, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Sunday night on Twitter. Officers later moved in and used pepper spray to clear the area after the protesters refused to leave.
Crowds continued to block traffic and prevent buses and cars from moving. Demonstrators refused to clear the intersection. While officers were clearing the intersection, they deployed pepper spray and made two arrests.
— CMPD News (@CMPD) August 24, 2020
“A slow driving vehicle was surrounded by demonstrators and prevented from leaving the area,” Charlotte police said in a tweet. “Officers intervened and were assaulted by demonstrators.”
A slow driving vehicle was surrounded by demonstrators and prevented from leaving the area. Officers intervened and were assaulted by demonstrators.
— CMPD News (@CMPD) August 24, 2020
Officers arrested 4 people during the demonstrations, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Another person was arrested Monday morning after entering a security perimeter set up at the RNC, according to RNC security.
President Trump is set to speak all four nights of the RNC convention, which begins Monday in Charlotte. The convention was scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic and was previously scheduled to be held in Florida.