71 Arrested in Cleveland Protests Over Officer’s Acquittal, Police Say

By MITCH SMITH and ASHLEY SOUTHALL MAY 24, 2015



A demonstrator was arrested during protests Saturday in Cleveland after the acquittal of Michael Brelo, a police officer who stood trial in the shooting deaths of a black couple.CreditJohn Minchillo/Associated Press


CLEVELAND — The police arrested 71 protesters overnight after demonstrations over the acquittal of an officer who climbed onto the hood of a car after a chase and repeatedly shot at two unarmed black occupants, the Cleveland police chief said.

Chief Calvin D. Williams said at a news conference Sunday that the protesters were arrested mostly on charges of aggravated rioting and obstruction of justice. Those arrested include 39 males, 16 females and a number of juveniles, he said.

The police said on Twitter that three people were arrested after a demonstrator threw a sign through a restaurant window, injuring a patron. Two of them were detained for trying to interfere with the arrest of the person who threw the sign, Chief Williams said.

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The demonstrations began peacefully Saturday after Officer Michael Brelo, 31, a former Marine who served in Iraq, was acquitted of charges of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault for his role in the November 2012 shooting. The demonstration turned aggressive in the evening, Chief Williams said.



Protesters gathered outside the Cuyahoga County Justice Center in Cleveland. Credit John Minchillo/Associated Press

“We only moved in to make arrests when things got violent and protesters refused to disperse,” he said. “We want people to understand, we’re going to help you in this process, but if things turn violent in this situation we will take action.”

The city streets had calmed by Sunday morning, although more demonstrations were expected over the Memorial Day weekend.

“We continue to encourage peaceful protest and demonstration,” Mayor Frank Jackson said. “However, we will not tolerate demonstrations that cross the line.”

Timothy Russell, 43, and Malissa Williams, 30, were killed on Nov. 29, 2012 after officers fired 137 rounds into their car following a 22-mile pursuit. Officer Brelo fired 49 shots, 15 of them after jumping onto the hood of the car driven by Mr. Russell.

His trial played out against the backdrop of a national debate about how police officers use lethal force in encounters with civilians, especially African Americans. Mr. Russell and Ms. Williams were both black. Officer Brelo is white.

Prosecutors here have not yet said whether they will bring criminal charges against a police officer who shot and killed Tamir Rice, 12, who was playing with a replica gun near a playground, and against the officer who restrained Tanisha Anderson, 37. Ms. Anderson, who suffered from bipolar disorder and heart disease, died after she was restrained face down on the pavement. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.

In an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, Gov. John R. Kasich of Ohio credited city leaders with helping to maintain calm and said that the people of Cleveland “should be so proud” of how they have handled themselves since the verdict was announced.

“The people of Cleveland protest, they ought to protest, that’s their right, but violence has been kept to an absolute minimum in that city,” he said.

Governor Kasich said his administration was working to carry out the recommendations of a state task force on community policing, which include creating a statewide policy on the use of lethal force and a focus on recruiting police officers from minority communities.

“What it’s going to take is the ability to lift everyone, to make sure that people in these communities know that there’s an opportunity for them that there is hope, that people and authority are listening, that there will be solid responses,” he said.

The city has settled wrongful death lawsuits brought by the couple’s families for $3 million. Seventy-five officers have been disciplined for their roles in the chase and the shooting.

An internal review that was paused during Officer Brelo’s trial was expected to resume after the verdict. He will remain on unpaid leave until the review is completed.

The shooting prompted several changes within the police department, including the department’s protocol during car chases and how it trains officers transitioning from military service.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/25/us...olice-say.html