On June 27th, a 25-year-old black man named Jayland Walker was shot more than 40 times by police in Akron, Ohio, after refusing to stop for them, initiating a dangerous car chase, and allegedly firing at officers from his vehicle.
Walker’s death led to violent protests throughout the Ohio city, and “bounties” were even put on the involved police officers’ heads.
This from 100percentfedup.com.
Now, as the city awaits a grand jury’s decision on the fate of the eight involved police officers, local businesses have boarded up their windows in anticipation of violent rioting.
Businesses in Akron, Ohio are boarding up in anticipation of a grand jury ruling on the role 8 cops may have played in the shooting death of Jayland Walker pic.twitter.com/PSgN9pzule
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 11, 2023
Law enforcement has also created a “demonstration zone” outside the courthouse to allow for residents to safely demonstrate, protest and exercise their first amendment rights to freedom of speech and to peaceably assemble.
Stephanie Marsh, a spokesperson for Akron, reported on the city’s preparations for the grand jury results.
Marsh said:
The city of Akron has been preparing for the grand jury results since last summer. The most important part of our preparation has been building relationships with our community and establishing better lines of communication.
Bobby DiCello, the attorney for Walker’s family, criticized the officials who fear destructive protesting over the jury ruling. He argued that the city of Akron:
[D]oesn’t trust a significant portion of its citizens.
He said:
Today, the family of Jayland Walker urges you to be mindful of how important it is that in America, everyone has equal access to justice and a fair process. They are not advocating for anything more than that.
DiCello added:
Unfortunately, this process is already stacked against them, but they will continue to fight for the justice that they and Jayland deserve.
DiCello may criticize the community of Akron for anticipating violent rioting, however, they have significant reason to prepare for the worst given the city’s track record.
In 2020, rioters took to the streets following the death of George Floyd. Local businesses were ransacked, windows were smashed, and the downtown area was vandalized by the rioters.
To disperse the destructive crowds, police had to use tear gas.
Following Walker’s death in 2022, rioters again took to the streets of Akron, and again causing destruction downtown, resulting in 101 windows and doors being broken.
Now, local businesses fear a repeat of these destructive protests that hurt the community.
Barricades being moved in Downtown Akron today, with placements in the blocks around the courthouse and the Akron Police Department pic.twitter.com/Divz51AeBF
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) April 11, 2023
One local business owner, Chris Sedlock, told Akron Beacon Journal that his business suffered damage during last year’s protests, costing him and taxpayers money as well. He also expressed his concern for local business owners who are bracing for another potential blow to their companies.
Revealing the major toll the riots of the past few years have taken on his business, Sedlock said:
In the course of the past three years, I’ve invested almost $1 million in the first floor here, so obviously, I’ve invested a lot of money in the city that I’m still waiting to get paid back.
He added:
The long-term effects of these rioters, it’s pretty damaging to a local business owner.
Last year, after the riots were done, the windows were boarded for three months, but I don’t feel like the people [felt like it was safe again] until just recently.
Final thoughts: The root problem here is a large portion of the population do not understand Police Authority.
Without law enforcement and adherence to the authority of the police, the country is in dire need of the return of Separate but Equal. Until then, I suggest: Segregate and Isolate.