One year after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, Americans continue to demand changes to how police departments function and treat communities of color.
Floyd’s death sparked what some experts have described as the largest civil rights protests in United States history and ushered in a fundamental shift in public discourse around policing and racial equity in Greater Akron and nationwide.
The Beacon Journal reached out to Summit County s leaders, activists and residents who participated in last summer s protests or have otherwise been involved in efforts to effect meaningful change within their communities to reflect on progress since summer 2020.
Sims described what viewers and Hicks endured as “traumatic and humiliating.
“It’s very difficult to watch bodycam footage like that, especially as we are all reliving the murder of George Floyd,” said Kody Cross, co-founder of the Akron Minority Council. “It’s a traumatic experience even for the viewers in the general.”
“From my perspective, there was an overly excessive use of force, an abuse of power, even some cruelty, in throwing the snow in Mr. Hicks’ face,” Cross added.
In a statement issued on Facebook, Ward 8 Councilman Malik Shammas, who, along with Ward 5 Councilwoman Tara Samples and Ward 1 Councilman Rich Swirsky, had urged the police department to release the body-worn camera footage ahead of Thursday’s news conference, described his concerns.
By Jennifer Conn Akron
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AKRON, Ohio Every Thursday and Sunday, a group of altruists, or maybe just good neighbors, come together to do good works on behalf of Akron’s homeless.
What You Need To Know
Every Thursday and Sunday a group of Akronites and Clevelanders of all ages come together to do good works on behalf of Akron’s homeless
Serve the People formed last summer after Black Lives Matter and other protests began dying down because the group wanted to keep humanitarian momentum going
The group cleans up homeless encampments and delivers food and supplies based on homeless people’s needs