House Speaker Paul Ryan endures a soundcheck on Sunday. Credit: Joeff Davis
Editor's Note: Award-winning photographer Joeff Davis is an old hand at covering political conventions (I think this one's his sixth). CL Tampa (along with our sister papers Creative Loafing Atlanta, where he's based, and the Nashville Scene) is getting the benefit of his fine eye in Cleveland and in Philly this summer.
Here are a few of his shots of Cleveland and its Quicken Loans Arena as preparations began Sunday for today's RNC launch.
This banner flew overhead in circles all day on Sunday. Credit: Joeff Davis
The new, no-penetration Trump/Pence logo in a prime spot inside Quicken Loans. Credit: Joeff Davis
Kim (left) and Debbie walk down the street in Cleveland with their mom. The daughters wear matching pins which say “Bomb the Hell Out of Isis.” Credit: Joeff Davis
A police officer is well-protected as he observes a passing protest march. Credit: Joeff Davis
As a march proceeds behind him, John Schmelzle from the Arkansas Republican delegation fist-bumps with officers. “I appreciate their service and wanted to let them know,” he said. Credit: Joeff Davis
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus (right) in a jolly mood. Credit: Joeff Davis
Lamont Lilly (hand raised) helped lead Sunday’s march. He is from Durham, North Carolina and is the vice presidential candidate for the Workers World Party. “It’s not about Trump , it’s not about Hillary, it’s about a failed society,” he said during the march. “We are representing the poor, the oppressed, the marginal. They serve the same 1 percent, they serve the same corporations, they play the American people as fools. In a land of so called democracy, how can their only be two parties?” Credit: Joeff Davis
Hundreds of people marched through the streets. Some of the chants heard were “All these racist ass police, we don’t need them! We want freedom!” “This is what democracy looks like! This is what freedom looks like!” “All lives will matter when Black lives matter!” “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!” Credit: Joeff Davis
A Donald Trump Bobblehead doll on sale in the street outside Quicken Loans Arena. They were being sold for $20 and they have sold out each of the last two days. Jesse, who was selling the dolls, is a Trump supporter. “He is gonna bring jobs back here. They send our jobs overseas and the profits go overseas.” When asked where the bobbleheads she sells were made, she said the United States — but upon closer inspection realized they were made in China. Credit: Joeff Davis
