Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken said he is certain he did the right thing Wednesday by declaring a state of emergency and putting the city under a curfew.

        But his decision sparked the ire of business owners and religious leaders throughout the city, who flooded City Hall with complaints about the loss of business and disruption of holy services.

        “The city is of one voice. We need to stop the violence. That's what is important,” the mayor said. “I'll let others affix blame.”

LUKEN'S BUSY DAY

• 7-10:30 a.m: He meets with religious leaders and business executives.   • 10:30 a.m: He announces a state of emergency.   • 10:45 a.m.: The first complaints about the curfew from business owners and religious leaders are received.   • 11:30 a.m. - noon: Police are stationed outside the mayor's office to keep protesters out. Mr. Luken meets with members of the new Black Panther party, who give him a list of demands. He gives it back without looking at it.   • 12:30 p.m.: He meets with council members.   • 1 p.m.: He announces the Ohio State Highway Patrol, not the Ohio National Guard, will assist police.   • 3:10-4:05 p.m: National NAACP President Kweisi Mfume meets with the mayor. Mr. Luken asks for help in quelling riots, Mr. Mfume asks for police restraint.   • 4:20 - 4:45 p.m: President Bush's chief of staff calls to say the president is monitoring the situation and offers help. Also gets calls from financier Carl Lindner and lawyer Stan Chesley.   • 4:45 p.m: Members of the Church of Scientology stop in.   • 5:00 p.m: Mr. Luken leaves to tape an interview for Nightline.   • 7-8 p.m.: Tours distressed areas with police.

        As Wednesday night's violence melded into Thursday's action, Mr. Luken found himself being criticized and second-guessed.

        On local talk shows, he was accused by black leaders of not standing up for the rights of blacks, while the president of the Cincinnati police union accused him of stirring up anti-police sentiment.

        And his office was besieged with calls from every conceivable quarter, from the U.S. president's office to local activists.

        Business executives pledged financial support to the city, and a group of black activists presented a list of demands. The national president of the NAACP offered advice, while Gov. Bob Taft provided state police assistance and discussed mobilizing the National Guard. Police officials reported continuing acts of violence. President Bush's chief of staff called to say the president was monitoring the situation. And the media — from Nightline's Ted Koppel to reporters with the largest newspaper in China — asked questions and demanded answers.

        “I am somewhat saddened that it takes this kind of situation to come together,” Mr. Luken said. “The city has been for months trying to grapple with police-com munity relations. But only now are people coming together. I'm happy that business leaders are finally engaged.”

        But Mr. Luken said all of it is heartbreaking.

        “I have lived in this city all of my life and I love it to death,” he said. “I never thought I would sign an emergency order because of civil unrest.”
       

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