COLUMBUS, Ohio – A day after protesters tied up traffic in Cleveland, meetings are planned in Ohio to address police-community relations.
U.S. Attorney Carter Stewart, Capital University Law School and John Mercer Langston Bar Association will host a community conversation on Wednesday to discuss the Department of Justice’s National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice. The initiative focuses on procedural justice, reducing bias and racial reconciliation, and convenes Department of Justice officials with local law enforcement and community leaders for open, constructive dialogue, Stewart said.
More than 100 participants – including Columbus police Chief Kim Jacobs — are expected to attend.
Police-community relations will also be the focus of a new task force holding its first meeting in Cleveland Tuesday.
Governor John Kasich formed the 18-person committee of city council members, religious leaders and law enforcement officials after a number of fatal police-involved shootings in Ohio and across the country. A report is to be issued in May after a series of forums around the state, including an event Tuesday at Cleveland State University.
Demonstrators marched nearly four miles across Cleveland’s west side and jammed traffic in one of two Martin Luther King Jr. Day protests planned in the city against police brutality.
The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that about 60 people gathered Monday at the recreation center where a Cleveland police officer fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Their march ended at the city’s public square.
Police spokesman Ali Pillow told the media group that at least three people were arrested. He provided no further details.
A second march was scheduled for the city’s east side.
The protests are part of a national effort led by the Coalition Against Police Violence. Similar demonstrations were scheduled in other U.S. cities.