AKRON, Ohio — On Wednesday, the city of Akron confirmed that officials deployed pepper spray to break up what was called an "unlawful" protest, two days after a grand jury declined to indict the eight officers involved in Jayland Walker's death.
In a statement released on Thursday, Akron Councilwoman Tara Mosley (5th Ward) denounced the police's use of pepper spray and questioned what was "unlawful" about what the demonstration.
"There are no reports of any injuries or property damage before the officers declared the assembly to be unlawful," Mosley, who is also a candidate for mayor, wrote. "What, then, was unlawful about this assembly? The city claims that the officers issued orders to disperse because 'officers were having bottles thrown at them from marchers.'
"But, from the available evidence—and there is much of it online—the protests were peaceful before the officers ordered the people to disperse. The people were calling for accountability. Nothing more, nothing less. The people were protesting the Jayland Walker decision. They were crying out for healing. They were standing up for their neighbors and community and families and children. This assembly was not unlawful; it was demanding to be heard."
Mosley also denounced the actions of some protestors, which included the breaking of windows of three buildings at Highland Square and other windows being broken at buildings downtown.
"This is not the way forward for this city," she said. "I know many of the protestors. I also know many of the police. I know that we can find a way forward without violence. Without using chemical weapons. Without destroying our own small businesses. And, at the same time, allowing those who are hurting to express their pain and trauma in a way that allows them and the community to heal.
"To find that way forward, though, the people in power must set the example. We must extend grace to those who wish to non-violently protest in their own neighborhoods. We need patience and listening from those in power, not tear gas and pepper spray."
Six protestors were arrested on Monday night, hours after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the grand jury's decision. Walker was fatally shot last June by eight Akron Police officers following a car chase that began when police attempted to pull him over for a broken tail light. One of the key pieces of evidence was whether or not Walker had fired a gun out his window -- something that Yost said the investigation determined he did, in fact, do.
"There is no doubt that [Walker] did, in fact, shoot at police officers," Yost declared.
After exiting his vehicle, Yost said Walker ignored "multiple commands by officers to show his hands and to stop," and that officers attempted to use a taser before Walker "reached for his waistband in what several officers described as a cross draw motion, planted his foot and turned toward the officers while raising his hand." Officers then proceeded to fire more than 90 rounds, with at least 45 hitting Walker.