CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After hearing more than 100 speakers Monday afternoon, the Charlotte City Council voted to accept contracts to host the Republican National Convention in 2020.
The meeting at the government center was filled with opinions and emotion.
"We do not want the Trump train and its garbage in our city."
"I encourage you to vote to showcase Charlotte."
"Our city will be seen as a city that embraces racism."
"Our city will be a hub for the sharing of goals and ideas that could very well shape the next four years of our country."
The council narrowly voted 6 to 5 on the motion to welcome the GOP should they choose the Queen City.
"Let's work together as a community over the next two years to make sure all voices are heard," said city councilman Tariq Bokhari who voted in yes.
"I'm going to make sure that in this process the interests of Charlotte are at the forefront," said city councilman Braxton Winston, who voted no.
After the vote, the mayor called for unity as the city moves forward.
"We need to work for the next two years in our city to make it possible for people to demonstrate to have peaceful protests and to make a difference," said Mayor Vi Lyles.
The Republican National Committee is expected to make a decision this week in Austin, Texas. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Charlotte will beat out Las Vegas as the host city.
Mayor Vi Lyles said she was invited to Austin and will fly there if Charlotte is selected.
When Charlotte formally submitted the bid in April, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Tom Murray said in a statement that hosting the RNC will not only generate "substantial economic impact" but also place the Queen City on a national stage.
The Democratic National Convention, held in Charlotte in 2012, generated an economic impact of more than $163 million to the Queen City. To put that number in perspective, the highly-anticipated 2019 NBA All-Star Game is expected to bring an estimated $100 million to the city of Charlotte.
"This agreement is stronger than what we had in 2012. It represents what I believe is now the state of the art in terms of protecting cities for these kinds of ventures," said city attorney Robert E. Hagemann.
Several Democratic city council members said they would vote against holding the event: Dimple Ajmera, Justin Harlow and LaWana Mayfield. Ajmera, in a statement, wrote, “Taxpayers will be on the hook for potential liability, unknown risk, and exposure.” Mayfield said her concern was President Trump’s policies on minorities and immigration.
Charlotte City Council released an executive summary of RNC contract ahead of Monday's special meeting. The contract said if the city's costs exceed $50 million, the host committee will be asked to pick up the tab.