After telling GOP to downsize convention due to COVID-19, N.C. governor marches in crowded protest

The state's Democratic chief executive Roy Cooper said Tuesday that 'planning for a scaled down convention, with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity.'

By Daniel Payne

Published: June 3, 2020 2:36pm

Updated: June 3, 2020 4:08pm

Shortly after he told the Republican Party that it would have to "scale down" its scheduled national convention in the state due to coronavirus transmission concerns, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper marched in a densely packed protest outside of the governor's mansion, at times removing his face mask while walking through the crowd.

Cooper said Tuesday that the Republican National Convention, scheduled to be held in Charlotte this summer, would have to be reduced in size due to fears that the coronavirus pandemic would still pose a significant threat in August.

"The people of North Caroline do not know what the status of COVID-19 will be in August, so planning for a scaled down convention, with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity," Cooper said.

Several hours after making that announcement public, Cooper joined the march outside of the Executive Mansion in Raleigh.

The governor "came out of the Executive Mansion early Monday evening and marched with a group protesting on Blount Street," WAVY TV 10 reported.

Video of the event showed Cooper marching at the head of a large group of activists with his mask off.

President Trump on Tuesday night said the GOP would seek another state to host its nominating convention in August. "Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised," he said.