![]() It was the fourth – and largest – protest in as many days, and came hours after body camera footage of Walker’s killing was released, showing police firing dozens of shots as they pursued the 25-year-old after he fled a traffic stop. ![]() ![]() “In light of the damage that has occurred and in order to preserve peace in our community, I have declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew and canceled the fireworks which were scheduled for tonight,” said Horrigan, adding the curfew would be in effect until further notice.ĭemonstrators rallied on Sunday to call for justice for Walker, who was fatally shot by police last week in the Rust Belt city in another incident of deadly police violence against Black people in the United States. Mayor Daniel Horrigan announced the 9pm-6am curfew in a statement on Monday, saying that peaceful protests demanding justice for Jayland Walker had escalated and led to “significant property damage”. The officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave, which is standard practice in such cases.The US city of Akron, Ohio has declared a state of emergency and imposed an overnight curfew downtown after hundreds of protesters marched through the streets to denounce the police killing of a Black man. The Ohio attorney general, Dave Yost, vowed a “complete, fair and expert investigation” and cautioned that “body-worn camera footage is just one view of the whole picture”. I fully support a thorough, independent investigation to understand what happened and ensure accountability.” Meanwhile, the Ohio congressman Tim Ryan said: “The video we witnessed today leaves questions unanswered. This is every Black parent’s worst fear of what a traffic stop will turn into.” The Ohio senator Sherrod Brown said: “The Walker family and the entire Akron community deserve a thorough and transparent investigation of why we are mourning yet another young, Black life cut short. Local politicians reacted with dismay to the video. A casing consistent with the weapon was later found in the area where officers say they believe a shot had come from Walker’s vehicle. Police have said a handgun, a loaded magazine and an apparent wedding ring were found on the seat of the car. In a Facebook post he wrote: “NOTHING can justify this police response! The officers who ended this young man’s life need to held accountable IMMEDIATELY!” As we understand them, the facts and video footage in Mr Walker’s death give us significant pause about the legality of the officers’ conduct.”Ĭivil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who has represented the families of Black victims of violence in numerous recent cases, called the incident horrifying. Legal Defense Fund’s president, Janai S Nelson, said: “The tragic killing of Jayland Walker once again underscores just how deeply dysfunctional and discriminatory America’s system of policing continues to be. Why do police continuously target us like domestic terrorists? We are just trying to live our lives, and we are tired of being hunted like prey.” This doesn’t happen to white people in America. Johnson added: “This Black man was killed – struck more than 60 times by 90 fired bullets – for a possible traffic violation. Point blank.”Ġ1:08 Ohio police fire teargas at Jayland Walker protesters – video NAACP’s president, Derrick Johnson, said in a statement that Walker’s death was not self-defense, but “was murder. Speaking through their attorney, Walker’s family urged protesters to remain peaceful in any upcoming demonstrations. ![]() We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence.” Small businesses up and down Main Street have had their windows broken. There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. These protests did not escalate to violence and destruction … However, as night fell and others began to join, the protests no longer became peaceful. In a statement, Akron’s mayor, Dan Horrigan, said: “We had several peaceful protests in the downtown footprint related to the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker. A march, which was largely peaceful, concluded at Akron’s Justice Center, where teargas was eventually fired by police officers in riot gear.Īkron officials issued on Monday a curfew for the downtown area which will be in effect from 9pm to 6am. Protesters took to the streets on Sunday night, demanding answers and justice. The murder of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis policeman in 2020 helped fuel a global protest movement condemning racism. Walker’s killing – which followed an attempted traffic stop – is the latest in a long line of US police shootings of often unarmed young Black men that have triggered widespread calls to tackle racism in the police. 01:01 Bodycam footage shows Ohio police shooting of Jayland Walker – video ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |