COLUMBUS (AP) — A crowd of protesters in downtown Columbus clashed with police during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
UPDATE 5/2920 3:42 p.m.: The officer who was seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck has been arrested and charged with murder.
Around 400 people turned out Thursday night, blocking the intersection of Broad and High streets near the Ohio Statehouse for hours.
The demonstration began as a peaceful protest, but news outlets reported protesters began throwing objects like water bottles and police responded with tear gas and pepper spray.
Local and state officials expressed outrage at Floyd’s death and supported the protesters’ rights to demonstrate but calling on them to do so peacefully.
Protests expressing outrage are not only understandable, but they are also appropriate. We want Ohioans to exercise their First Amendment rights.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 29, 2020
I understand why some residents are angry and taking to the streets. I have said many times that racism exists across the country, state and right here in Columbus. We are committed to addressing racism wherever we see it.
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) May 29, 2020
This is hard for all of us, and we want to make sure that everyone remains safe. pic.twitter.com/Yw6LEQA2WF
— Shannon Hardin (@SG_Hardin) May 29, 2020
The Franklin County Commissioner, who formally recognized racism as a public health crisis last week, called for restraint.
Peaceful protest has a long and important history in our country, and we will not condemn it. We do call on both the protesters and the police to exercise restraint. The safety of all of our community members must be our highest priority. Addressing the systemic inequities that have led us to this point must be our ultimate objective. -statement from the Franklin County Commissioners
News outlets report demonstrators left smashed storefront windows along downtown streets and tried to breach the statehouse.
The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board reported more than two dozen window panes were shattered along the west and south sides of the Statehouse and there was additional damage to the wood frames, doors, lampposts and flags, which suffered fire damage. The board said there was no cost estimate of the damage.
Neither Columbus police nor state troopers could be reached for comment.
Protesters set a police station on fire in a third night of violent protests in Minneapolis and demonstrators blocked traffic and smashed vehicles in downtown Denver.