Protesters march in downtown Cleveland, on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu)
The Republican National Convention in Cleveland so far has been a magnet for people supporting and denouncing disparate causes, from policing to immigration.
Several protests Tuesday erupted into skirmishes and marchers tried to push their way into blocked off downtown streets. Officers used bicycles to wall-off intersections and for the first time during the convention ordered demonstrators to disperse under the threat of arrest.
"We don't care who it is. Stay on the sidewalk," Lt. Michael Butler said as the demonstrators made their way. "We don't want the sideshow."
On Wednesday, a Latino social organization is set to hold a wall-building stunt at the city’s Public Square mocking Donald Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Anti-government and anti-racism protesters have also said they will burn an American flag at an undisclosed location.
Despite Tuesday's histrionics, police said there were no protest-related arrests.
One skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.
Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line to separate a conservative religious group from a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."
Overall, five people have been arrested since the convention started, police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said.
That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state trooper's gas mask and three people who allegedly climbed flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hung an anti-Donald Trump banner.
The demonstrators on Tuesday — including anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives and marchers decrying racism and "murder by police" — appeared outnumbered by law enforcement officers and members of the media.
Demonstrators soon spilled into the streets, and some appeared to be making their way toward the convention arena before turning back. More skirmishes broke out at one intersection. But by the evening, the protests were breaking up.
About 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies are patrolling downtown Cleveland on bicycles during the convention.
A contingent of bicycle officers made a coordinated effort to keep about 20 marchers from advancing, lifting their bicycles and charging forward a few feet at a time as they yelled, "move back!"
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, "It's an unlawful gathering. You're blocking a city street."
They eventually moved along.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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