Protests plague GOP convention day 1

It was a rough start to the four-day political jamboree, which was designed to crown Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as the presidential nominee and catapult the party toward November’s elections.

With millions watching on TV at home, Melania Trump delivered a heartfelt defense of her husband and his bid to be the next President of the United States before thousands of rapt convention delegates. But unmistakable similarities in remarks about her guiding values and a speech given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention soon came to light.

The kerfuffle came after a chaotic start to the Republican gathering in Cleveland, which erupted in jeers from Trump opponents determined to express their unease about the 70-year-old billionaire businessman.

“We deserve to be heard, this is the people’s convention!” said Diana Shores, a delegate from Virginia, while pro-Trump delegates tried to drown out the rebels with shouts of “Shame! Shame!”

On Tuesday, the convention was due to hold a state-by-state roll call vote, with each delegation confirming the winner in their primary election.

Although a routine procedure, it too could be the scene of further disruptions by anti-Trump factions.

Mr Trump’s fans insist delegates must heed the will of the grassroots of the party and make him the Republican nominee without equivocation.

The real estate mogul won a thumping victory in a series of statewide party elections, garnering more than 13 million votes — the most of any Republican nominee ever.

Making a surprise cameo appearance at the gathering in Cleveland to introduce his wife, the bombastic tycoon showed confidence that belied the day’s spasm of public division.

“We’re going to win so big” said Mr Trump. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to present the next First Lady of the United States.”

Mr Trump’s Slovenian-born wife Melania, until now only a minor presence in the campaign, stepped on to the stage in the role of chief advocate and character witness. With all the allure of a former model and in a strong European accent, she made the case why Americans should entrust Mr Trump with the presidency.

“Donald is, and always has been, an amazing leader,” said the 46-year-old. “Now, he will go to work for you.”

Protestors for and against Mr Trump faced off in a plaza a few blocks from the site of the convention in downtown Cleveland on Monday, shouting slogans at each other but avoiding physical confrontation.

Dozens of protestors were separated by a wall of police that look-ed equal in number. To one side of the police line demonstrators shouted, “Black Lives Matter”. From the other side came, “You’re a bunch of anarchists.”