The protest scene
shown. Concessionaires set up tables with both pro- and anti-Trump merchandise. “God Bless The USA,” blared from a boombox that was selling pro-Trump caps and shirts.
Outside the convention center, Monroe Street was the dividing line. Those with tickets were allowed south; those without were kept north.
Marching toward Trump
Hundreds of people met at Civic Space Park near Arizona State University before walking to protest in front of the venue where Trump will speak.
Some wore Bernie Sanders and Black Lives Matter Tshirts. Another group, selfidentified as the “John Browne Group,” carried AR-15 rifles.
Puente Arizona, One Arizona, Mi Familia Vota, and Progressive Democrats of America handed out water and granola bars from three big coolers before the group marched south on Central Avenue totoonist ward the Convention Center.
They began their chants: “No Trump; No KKK; No Fascist USA” and “This is what democracy looks like.” The march ended in front of the Herberger Theater, across the street from the Phoenix Convention Center.
— Laura Gomez
At least a dozen organized groups were planning protests against Trump outside the Phoenix Convention Center.
By mid-afternoon, a number of individual protesters had gathered across the street from the convention center on Second Street just south of Monroe. The atmosphere between protesters and supporters standing in line waiting to get into the convention center was tense at times. Some shouts were exchanged.
— Anne Ryman
Drawn-out denial for Steve Benson
Steve Benson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial carence and a respected presence at The Arizona Republic. But that, and an email, still could not get him a credential into the Trump campaign stop.
Benson was told in an email Sunday from the campaign press office that his credential request had been denied.
“Any name that does not appear on our list, will not be permitted to enter as credentialed media,” the email said. The misplaced comma was in the email. Benson has good company. Also denied credentials were KPHO-TV’s Morgan Loew and Gilbert Zermeno. The reporter and cameraman have long teamed up to do investigations for Phoenix’s CBS affiliate.
Zermeno, on Facebook, posted: “Guess I’ll be looking for a scalper.”
Schools, businesses close
Trump's rally prompted many businesses, offices and stores in the downtown area to close early for the day, although some planned to remain open. Some schools in the area also sent students home early.
This was the first time in recent memory that a political rally has triggered a widespread closure of businesses, stores and offices, reported Kaila White and Garrett Mitchell.