Local Activists Are Split On Charlotte Playing Host To The 2020 RNC

Alexandra Elich,

CHARLOTTE, NC — A petition to ditch the bid for the 2020 Republican National Convention is growing, but local activists are torn in both directions.
A decision on Charlotte as the host city for the 2020 RNC could come this month, but some Charlotte community activists are pushing back against the idea.

“This is not what we want in the city, we must do what we can to make sure the city council hears us and when they are going to vote they vote no,” says activist Ray McKinnon. He says his opposition does not have anything to do with the Republican party, and has everything to do with the trump administration.

“This isn’t a matter of the RNC, it’s a matter of this president. This president whose values are divisive and hate filled.”

McKinnon thinks the RNC may bring protests to the city, but Safe Coalition NC Director Robert Dawkins disagrees.

“I think people confuse like Charlottesville, which was a spur of the moment thing and people got hurt, with a convention that’s going to have secret service, all of this protection.”

Dawkins says the economic development the convention could bring to the city outweighs any concerns.

When charlotte hosted the DNC in 2012 the total economic impact was $163.6 million.

Dawkins says, “I think people are getting a little carried away. This is an opportunity for a lot of people who do not make a lot of money during the summer to make money.”

Council members Lawana Mayfield and Justin Harlow have also been vocal with their concerns about the event being hosted in the Queen City.

Many community activist groups plan to come to the Government Center to tell city council members exactly how they feel about hosting the 2020 RNC.

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority plans to be in Austin, Texas between July 17th and 20th when the Republican National Committee could select Charlotte as the host.

WCCB reached out to the North Carolina Republican Party, but we haven’t heard back.

Las Vegas is also in the running to host the convention.