Taking the podium in Columbus on Friday afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made it clear that he's OK with protests, particularly as they relate to the killing of a Minneapolis man named George Floyd.
"Protests expressing outrage are not only understandable they are appropriate," DeWine said.
But following protests in Columbus on Thursday evening and more demonstrations planned throughout the state this weekend, DeWine called for any future protests to be peaceful.
"Regardless of the issue, please do so peacefully," DeWine said. "We must not fight violence with more violence."
DeWine's comments come hours after protests in Columbus resulted in damages to businesses and the statehouse. A demonstration regarding Floyd's death in downtown Cleveland is planned for Saturday at 2 p.m.
Demonstrations and protests across the country have become commonplace since Monday, when a video showing Floyd's death while being arrested by four police officers went viral. On Friday, Derek Chauvin, the since-fired police officer who was pressing his knee over Floyd's neck, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.