Thousands of people have come to oppose President Donald Trump and Republican officials as Day 2 of the RNC midterm conventions proceeds. Videos of protestors confronting police in riot gear outside the Republican National Committee’s midterm gathering in Dallas went viral on social media on Thursday.
Protests and Security Measures Surround Trump Convention
Protests erupted near the American Airlines Center as demonstrators gathered ahead of the closing night of the convention featuring former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior Republican officials.
Footage from the scene showed mounted police and officers in riot gear positioned behind barricades, while protesters marched through nearby streets carrying signs and chanting anti-Trump slogans.
In response to the demonstrations, authorities implemented strict security measures. High-security fencing surrounded the convention venue, and hundreds of law enforcement personnel were deployed to prevent protesters from approaching the site.
The presence of law enforcement underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the event, reflecting broader societal divisions and the challenges of maintaining public safety during politically charged gatherings.
What are the protests about?
Organisers estimated that roughly 1,000 people would participate in the demonstration. Organisers expected between 5,000 and 10,000 participants, including Democratic elected officials, labour leaders and civil rights groups. City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said public safety planning would cost approximately $1.8 million. Inside the arena, Republicans continued focusing on the 2026 midterm elections.
Because of the convention’s security perimeter, however, police restricted how close marchers could get to the American Airlines Center. NBC News reported that one protestor was charged with assaulting a counter-protester, and the other was charged with blocking a road, according to police. The police have confirmed that the incidents happened three blocks away from the event, close to McKinnon and Payne streets.
The largest march near the convention was organised by the Dallas Against the Trump Agenda Coalition, which called on supporters to “Confront the Trump Agenda,” the New York Times reported. Protesters gathered at Pike Park before marching toward the convention site, according to the coalition. Another large demonstration, called the “We The People Rally,” was scheduled near Dallas City Hall, according to the New York Times. They said the rally aimed to defend democracy and communities affected by the administration’s policies. “We reject hate, we reject division,” Coleman said during a news conference before the convention. “Our goal is not to interfere with lawful expression,” Tolbert said before the convention.
The organizers criticized the Trump administration’s positions on immigration and civil rights. They argued that the administration’s policies harmed vulnerable communities. The event was organised by the Next Generation Action Network. Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman urged demonstrators to reject political violence while calling for peaceful protests. Dallas officials coordinated security with federal agencies ahead of the convention, anticipating large demonstrations during both days of the event. “Our goal is to provide an environment where people can exercise their rights safely while protecting the rights and safety of everyone else. Videos show troops of Dallas Riot Police marching on the streets near and around the convention area. Thursday’s programme includes speeches from House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump Jr., Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Vice President JD Vance and President Trump, who is scheduled to deliver the convention’s closing address.
On Thursday, two demonstrators near the RNC midterm meeting in Dallas were taken into custody.
