CINCINNATI — An organization called The Coalition of Queen City has compiled a list of demands they want city and law enforcement officials to hear at Sunday’s rally in Mt. Auburn.
In response to the death of George Floyd and on the heels of two nights of protests that resulted in violence and arrests, the newly formed organization is asking officials to consider implementing these five changes to the justice system in Cincinnati:
1. Put policies in place to end police brutality through reform of the current law enforcement system, harsher punishments for police convicted in these types of cases
2. Justice for all victims of police brutality by reopening cases
3. Release all those jailed due to protest activity
4. End private prisons
5. End cash bail
Organizers planned to read the list of changes they want to see at Sunday’s "Be Heard, Be Safe; Rally For Justice" at Inwood Park. This is the only protest organized by the Coalition of Queen City this weekend, but it comes after Friday and Saturday protests outside of the Hamilton County Courthouse and inside Washington Park that turned violent -- resulting in police using tear gas on protesters, rocks being hurled at police cars and one Cincinnati police officer shot in the helmet.
Lindsey Wagner of the Coalition of Queen City said they worked to make Sunday’s protest safer and protesters more prepared.
“We will have a trained medical team present made up of EMTs and field medics who will be clearly marked with red crosses on their clothing to identify them. We will also have legal observers who will be wearing neon-colored hats to make sure there are no acts of aggression and that people’s rights aren’t being violated,” Wagner said.
While the weekend has been marked with protests, curfews and property damage, organizers are mindful of the fact that the large gathering of people is happening during the coronavirus pandemic.
Protesters will be provided with a mask and hand sanitizer if they do not have their own.
Speakers and performers will kick off the event starting at 3:00 p.m.
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