AKRON, Ohio — About 200 protesters gathered at Grace Park near downtown Akron mid-day Monday to march through the city, to demand police accountability for the killing of Jayland Walker.
The “March with Akron: Justice for Jayland Walker and Our Community” rally organized by NAACP Akron and the Freedom BLOC, was intended to celebrate unity and community, and demand justice for the fatal police shooting of Walker, the groups said.
Many of the protesters wore t-shirts emblazoned with an image of Walker, that read “Justice for Jayland Walker.”
The 25-year-old was killed in June after failing to heed a traffic stop and leading Akron police on a car and foot chase. The shooting is under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
March participants were a diverse group, with many carrying Black Lives Matter signs or waving flags associated with social justice.
The groups have been calling for police reform since the Walker shooting, demanding an end to tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets used on peaceful protesters as well as an end to police chases for minor infractions.
The groups were successful in gathering enough signatures to have a charter amendment put before voters in November. If it is successful, Issue 10 would create a citizen review board for police. The groups say it also will improve police-community relations.
Akron City Council recently passed an ordinance that has begun the process of creating a citizen review board with some differences, such as how members of the board are seated, the powers of the board and how it would be governed.
If Issue 10 is approved by voters, it will take precedence over the city's existing ordinance.
Prior to the march, NAACP Akron President Judi Hill took time out from registering marchers to talk about Issue 10.
One of the features of the charter amendment is it would encourage de-escalation training for the police force, which she said would save lives. Another benefit is that it identifies funding to support that.
“So often we have unfunded mandates that we propose -- not this time. We looked at this from a lot of different angles,” she said.
Hill marches like Monday's protest are effective in bringing about change and pointed to another benefit.
“It also validates the human spirit,” she said. “If you believe in democracy, if you believe that people have a right to a voice and opportunity to share how they feel as we move forward in a community then yes, they work.
Hill said the groups plan to continue marches and rallies until they see positive change in Akron.
The protesters stepped off heading west on Route 59 crossing the Y-Bridge into into North Hill. Traffic at first was backing up behind the group, which filled both lanes of the road, until Akron Police appeared to block traffic allowing the group to continue.
The marchers turned south recrossing the Y-Bridge, ending the march at the Sojourner Truth Plaza on High Street.
