Cleveland preps for GOP convention with $50 million liability policy
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The City of Cleveland is gearing up for potential problems at the upcoming Republican National Convention by purchasing a $50 million liability insurance policy, a city spokesman said Thursday.
The city’s control board approved payment of a $9.5 million initial fee to Aon Risk Solutions Northeast Ohio, the spokesman said. The money will cover the city’s insurance premium and fee for brokering the $50 million policy, he said.
The city had approved the purchase of a smaller $10 million insurance policy with a $1.5 million fee in March, the spokesman said.
The convention is scheduled to run July 18-21. The city will host more than 50,000 visitors during the four-day convention, which will take place primarily at Quicken Loans Arena, more commonly known as “The Q,” home of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
The city’s spokesman said the Republican National Committee required Cleveland to purchase the liability insurance to host the convention. The insurance will be purchased with money from a federal security grant the city got for hosting the convention, he said.
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump’s previous appearances have often sparked protests, but political conventions themselves have also been the touchstone for demonstrations.
The New York Police Department arrested 1,800 protesters during the 2004 Republican National Convention, and the city wound up on the hook for $18 million in damages related to alleged civil rights violations.
St. Paul, Minnesota, purchased a $1.1 million policy from American International Group Inc. to cover law enforcement actions against protesters during the 2008 Republican National Convention, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Only $175,000 in settlements have been reported from that event.
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