TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is bracing for possible protests at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Jim Madden is the assistant commissioner for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He warned state legislators Tuesday that the state wants to avoid the clashes that occurred at the 2008 GOP convention in Minneapolis. Madden stressed that the state is not worried about peaceful protests, but he told legislators that there is a fear that radical groups and anarchists will target the event. Roughly 4,200 law-enforcement officers will be brought in to help keep the peace.
Florida will also have 1,700 National Guard on hand for support.
One big issue is money. Congress has yet to give Florida $50 million to help pay for the convention.
Source: Associated Press
