As nation awaits Chauvin verdict, Cincinnati preps for possibility of protests
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Updated: 6:14 PM EDT Apr 19, 2021
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Updated: 6:14 PM EDT Apr 19, 2021
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TONIGHT WITH MORE JOHN. YEAH AND CHERIE THIS IS OFTEN. GATHERING PLACE FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND JUST LAST WEEK A ROW OF METAL BIKE RACK STYLE FENCING THAT YOU CAN SEE ACROSS THE STREET HERE WAS PUT IN FRONT OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE. WE ARE TOLD THIS WAS DONE AS A PRECAUTION. THOSE IN CHARGE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY KNOW IT IS PRUDENT TO BE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER THE AFTERMATH OF THE CHAUVIN TRIAL BRINGS. WELL, I’M IN TOUCH WITH CHIEF ISAAC DAILY, AND THEY’RE MONITORING ALL INTELLIGENCE. THE HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS SPENT THE PAST THREE. WEEKS MONITORING THE CHAUVIN TRIAL AND ASSESSING THE POSSIBILITIES, YOU KNOW IN THESE SITUATIONS THAT CAN BE PRETTY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED. THEY CAN BECOME VERY UNPREDICTABLE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED TO BE READY THE MOST VISIBLE SIGN OF READINESS IS THE LINE OF METAL BARRIERS ALONG THE FRONT SIDE OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. IT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN LOCATIONS USED LAST SUMMER BY DEMONSTRATORS AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE WEEKS OF PEACEFUL PROTESTS AND OFFICERS HELMET DEFLECTED A BULLET THAT CAME FROM SOMEWHERE. THE NIGHT INDICATIVE OF THE INHERENT RISKS LAW ENFORCEMENT FACES THREATS TO PROPERTY THREATS TO PEOPLE WE ARE PREPARED FOR THAT. BUT PEACEFUL PROTESTING IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AND WE RESPECT THAT THE TRAUMA OF WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE FLOYD WAS A SEARING SHARED NATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THAT CREATES A HIGH SENSE OF STRESS AND PEOPLE CAN’T SIT HOME QUIETLY WHEN THAT HAPPENS IF DEMONSTRATIONS OCCUR HOW PEOPLE AND POLICE CONDUCT THEMSELVES WILL OVER I THINK IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO GIVE PERSPECTIVE JOHN THAT EVERY POLICE OFFICER ISN’T BAD. EVERY SCHOOL TEACHER ISN’T BAD. EVERY POLITICIAN ISN’T BAD. BOTTOM LINE IS LOOTING IS NEVER OKAY HURTING PEOPLE AND PROPERTY IS NEVER OKAY, BUT FIRST AMENDMENT PROTEST IS 100% PROTECTED. AND BOTH THE BEAR AND VICE MAYOR SAY THE CITY WILL BE PREPARED. THE COUNTY SHERIFF IS SAYING SAME TAKING CARE TO POINT OUT PEACEFUL PROTEST IS IN THE GRAND AMERICAN TRADITION AND NO ONE SHOULD FEAR IT. OR ABUSE IT. REPORTING LIVE AT