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Crews cleaning up broken windows after overnight Akron protests in connection with deadly police shooting of Jayland Walker

Windows were broken at multiple businesses in downtown Akron along East Exchange and South Main.

AKRON, Ohio — Cleanup efforts were underway early Monday morning in downtown Akron where some windows were broken amid overnight protests in response to the shooting death of Jayland Walker.

3News witnessed crews boarding up windows and sweeping up glass at multiple locations along South Main and East Exchange near Canal Park.

Protesters had been demonstrating in downtown Akron throughout the day Sunday after police released body camera footage of the incident in which Walker was shot and killed by eight officers following a chase last week.

Protests did remain peaceful throughout the day, but at least one instance late Sunday resulted in police deploying tear gas. Windows had also been broken out of some trucks that were being used to block various downtown streets while 3News witnessed a fire in what appeared to be a Dumpster near South Main and Church.

On Facebook, Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant showed its damage from Sunday night's protests. 

As we are part of Akron community, we are saddened by the loss of #JaylandWalker for his family. We are supporting the...

Posted by Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant on Monday, July 4, 2022

We are all boarded up for now. Big Thank you to Suzie Graham of Downtown Akron Partnership and City of Akron for the repair assistance. See you soon Akron 💪😊

Posted by Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant on Monday, July 4, 2022

In light of the damage downtown, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has activated a curfew and canceled the two community fireworks that were set to take place at Patterson Park and near the Rubber Bowl. See a map of the curfew area HERE.

Here's the statement from Mayor Horrigan about the curfew: 

Early yesterday, we had several peaceful protests in the downtown footprint related to the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker. These protests did not escalate to violence and destruction. I want to first thank them. As I stated yesterday, I fully support our residents’ right to peacefully assemble. What we have been calling for since the beginning, and what the Walker family and many community leaders and faith leaders have also urged, is peace. However, as night fell and others began to join, the protests became no longer peaceful. There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. Small businesses up and down Main St. have had their windows broken. We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence. In light of the damage that has occurred and in order to preserve peace in our community, I have declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew and canceled the fireworks which were scheduled for tonight.

See more photos of the damage: 

MORE COVERAGE: 

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