<\/p>\n
Historian Michael Phillips spoke Friday about the political history of Dallas and the protests at Dallas\u2019 1984 Republican National Convention.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
A new generation of activists is preparing a series of protests when President Donald Trump arrives next month in Dallas<\/a> for a national rally, 42 years after demonstrators targeted the city\u2019s last Republican national convention.<\/p>\n The Dallas Against the Trump Agenda coalition<\/a> is seeking city permits, lining up legal support, organizing safety training and even arranging sign-making sessions ahead of the Sept. 9-10 convention at the American Airlines Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n The coalition brings together North Texas organizations opposing the war with Iran and Trump administration policies on immigration, policing, labor, education and public services. Organizers say they want convention week to include voices beyond those of “politicians, billionaires and Republican Party officials.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Its members include the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression DFW, the DFW Anti-War Committee, El Movimiento and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.<\/p>\n Jo Hargis of the DFW Anti-War Committee said the coalition is inviting organizations nationwide to participate and is ready to work with others opposed to the Trump administration.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are welcome from all around the country to join in this protest,\u201d Hargis said.<\/p>\n Coalition leaders outlined their efforts at a meeting late Friday, offering the most detailed look yet at how they want to confront Trump as Dallas moves to the center of the political fight in the runup to the November elections.<\/p>\n Dallas police said the department is aware of the planned demonstrations but has not announced protest zones or a march route. Spokesperson Corbin Rubinson said officials will release some details later about security perimeters, including maps of traffic impacts and detours.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A protest flyer calling for groups to confront the Republican midterm convention next month in Dallas.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Kristin Lowman, a spokesperson for the Secret Service\u2019s Dallas field office, said Friday that authorities and partner agencies have developed a \u201ccoordinated security plan\u201d to protect attendees and the public while allowing lawful protest.<\/p>\n Related: Who pays Dallas costs at Trump convention?<\/a><\/p>\n Coalition members said they have met with Dallas police and discussed establishing a protest site near the arena, a common practice for cities hosting political conventions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still ironing out the details,\u201d said Xavier Velasquez of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression DFW.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In the coming weeks, organizers plan to connect with groups that participated in earlier demonstrations, including the No Kings protests, while preparing supporters for the conditions they could encounter. Their plans include:<\/p>\n Safety training and guidance for responding to different situations The coalition also is talking with legal aid groups about assisting protesters if they are arrested or believe city, state or federal authorities have restricted their First Amendment rights.<\/p>\n The September gathering differs from the Republican National Convention held every four years to formally nominate the party\u2019s presidential ticket. The two-day event instead is being organized as a political rally and messaging platform.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Trump is expected to be a central figure as Republicans seek to energize Texas supporters, promote GOP candidates and highlight the administration\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n Flashback to \u201984<\/p>\n As organizers prepare, they are studying what happened the last time the city hosted a Republican national convention.<\/p>\n About a dozen coalition members crowded into a small room Friday evening in southern Dallas to hear historian Michael Phillips discuss the protests and political tensions surrounding the 1984 GOP convention that nominated Ronald Reagan for a second term as president.<\/p>\n At the Dallas meeting, red curtains blocked the evening sun. At the door hung a piece of fabric with the message, \u201cChinga la migra,\u201d Spanish slang expressing opposition to immigration enforcement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Phillips, author of White Metropolis: Race, Ethnicity, and Religion in Dallas, 1841-2001<\/a>, described how the protesters four decades ago mobilized and how Dallas authorities responded.<\/p>\n Jo Hargis of the DFW Anti-War Committee (right) listens to a speaker at an event Friday hosted by the Dallas Against the Trump Agenda Coalition, a group plannning a series of protests at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n For those in the room, it was not simply a history lesson. They wanted to know what lessons from the 1984 convention could guide their preparations for September.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nBuddy systems to help participants remain together
\nWater and other precautions for the September heat
\nSign-making sessions before the convention
\nCoordination with groups offering free legal assistance
\nGuidance against bringing firearms or other weapons<\/p>\n<\/p>\n