AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron is canceling a number of weekend events after members of the city council sent a letter to the mayor requesting he do so, referencing safety concerns, according to a press release from the city.
This comes after the shooting that took place on June 2 that left dozens injured and one dead, rattling the community.
The letter, signed by eight council members, laid out three reasons why they recommended the mayor cancel events. Tensions remain high, they said, as many continue to grieve. The shooter is still at large, and large gatherings such as those planned for the weekend “set the stage for a copycat or retaliatory shooting.”
“We do not need a repeat occurrence,” the letter reads. “We respectfully request that you cancel these events in the interest of public safety!”
On Friday, June 14, the following events were canceled:
- Rock the Lock at Lock 3 Park
- Concert and Water Tower Market at Triangle Park
On Saturday, June 15, the following events are canceled:
- Blue Heron Festival at the Mustill Store
- Akron Juneteeth Festival at Stoner/Hawkins Park
- Ward 5 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival at Joy Park Community Center
- Nu You Event at Hardesty Park
- North Hill 5K
- American Heart Association Heart Walk
On Sunday, June 16, the following events are canceled:
- West Akron Parade and Juneteenth Father’s Day Celebration at Buchtel CLC and Kerr Park
- Church in the Park at Devenport Park
- Wellness on the Plaza on Cascade Plaza
The press release from the mayor’s office states that, while these events have been canceled, there “is no credible threat to this weekend’s Juneteenth events or other events.”
The city will sponsor a Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19, at the John S. Knight Center, and they are asking vendors/organizers of now-canceled weekend events to participate.
“This weekend’s events - Juneteenth celebrations in particular - were an opportunity for our community to come together and congregate in Akron with family and friends,” Mayor Shammas Malik said in the release. “Public safety has been a priority of our administration from day one, and we actively worked with the Akron Police Department, Akron Fire Department, and the organizers of the Juneteenth events to provide safety personnel. We look forward to hosting the community at the John S. Knight Center on Wednesday.”