The Republican National Convention (RNC) took place Aug. 24-27, with the official nomination of President Donald Trump taking place at the Charlotte Convention Center Aug. 24. Days before the event, protestors were seen on the street protesting the convention. A few protestors were arrested as a result. Despite the protests, the event still took place. The turnout of the event was expected to range from 19,000 and to 50,000 attendants, like the past conventions have held. This year’s numbers were around 300-400 people. Due to North Carolina’s response to the coronavirus, the size of gatherings were limited. Large crowds of people congregating together was not permitted. Those who attended the convention were officials, people from the media and a few local supporters and staff.
Convention organizers, prior to the event, submitted their plans to the governor’s office stating that medical testing would occur for delegates before their arrival and throughout their stay in Charlotte. In addition to North Carolina’s statewide requirement of masks, chairs would also be placed six feet apart. RNC staff agreed to enforce the requirements. Precautions for delegates were set, such as required wearing of electronic badges that traced their movement and documented any other badges they came into close contact with. The badges were for health officials to be prepared in case a person developed COVID-19.
On the first day of the convention, delegates from each state and territory were placed at different tables representing the Republican Party. There were 336 delegates doing official business this year. This number is less than the 2,472 delegates who attended the 2016 RNC. In comparison, delegates for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) were told to not travel to Milauwakee, Wisconson where the 2020 DNC was held. A virtual voting system was set up for delegates and official business for the DNC. Many speakers for the RNC remotely gave their speech, similar to the DNC.
President Trump spoke every day of the convention. The first day, Trump spoke about many topics like the coronavirus pandemic and the use of “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance in Charlotte. The same day he brought up former President Obama in his speech.
“[Democrats] are trying to steal the election, just like they did it last time with spying and we caught them—and that included President Obama,” said Trump.
At the mention of President Obama, an attendee audibly interrupted Trump’s speech with what sounded like “monkey” or “spygate,” referring to a theory that the Obama administration used spies in his 2016 campaign for political gain. Another member of the crowd then was heard saying “Sleepy Joe.”
“This can only happen in North Carolina,” said Trump in response to the comments from the audience.
Mya McClarty, a junior at Northwood, did not approve of Trump’s comments.
“I think it was inappropriate that he [Trump] responded in that way…stuff like that happens everyday outside of North Carolina. It was unsafe to hold a convention during a global pandemic anyway,” said McClarty regarding Trump’s response to the audience and the convention.
Later that day speeches from other speakers were released. Donald Trump Jr. spoke about the events happening this year, such as protests relating to George Floyd. He also briefly mentioned education and religion. “It’s almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism, or in the words of Biden and the Democrats, peaceful protesting,” said Trump Jr.
Many speakers spoke about the riots occuring cities like Portland, OR and Kenosha, WI, such as Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador.
“That’s why it’s tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage,” said Haley.
Many speakers also praised President Trump’s reaction to the pandemic.
“The President quickly took action and shut down travel from China,” said Trump Jr. regarding the coronavirus spread.
It was later announced Aug. 28, that four guests who attended the RNC tested positive for COVID-19. Requirements and safety procedures for coronavirus were not seen being enforced. Some attendees were not wearing a mask throughout the event and weren’t social distancing. The infected attendees are now quarantined and those who have been in contact with them have been told instructions for isolation.
-July Two
