A peaceful but passionate crowd that numbered in the hundreds demanded change Tuesday during the first Cincinnati City Council meeting since last week's outbreak of street violence. Amid calls for peace came warnings that if change does not occur, more unrest will follow.

The Rev. James Irons, with is niece Rosie Williams, speaks about the Nov. 8 shooting death of his son, Jeffrey. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        “What did you think was going to happen after police chase innocent people down and kill them?” Rick Reynolds of Over-the-Rhine told council members. “Do you think people are going to keep putting up with this?”

        The atmosphere of Tuesday's five-hour meeting - a special session called by Mayor Charlie Luken — was far different from the April 9 meeting of council's Law and Public Safety Committee. That's when an aggressive crowd packed council chambers to demand answers in the death of 19-year-old Timothy Thomas, an unarmed African-American shot while fleeing Cincinnati Police Officer Steve Roach April 7 in Over-the-Rhine.

        The city's worst racial violence since 1968 began three days later.

        A sense of normalcy returned to the city Tuesday night when the Cincinnati Reds game against the Milwaukee Brewers went off after a one-hour rain delay. Reds and city officials had discussed moving the game to the afternoon, but a four- day curfew imposed after last week's riots was lifted Monday.

Norma J. Payne speaks at Tuesday's special City Council meeting. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        Ryan Nissim-Sabat, 25, of Clifton, an organizer for the hotel and restaurant workers union, said he came to Tuesday's meeting to see if the city would make changes he believes the community wants.

        “There are problems between the police and the African-American community, which is 43 percent of the population,” Mr. Nissim-Sabat said. “There is misconduct by the police department. Something has to be done to address that problem, and maybe this is a start.”

Hiring outside the city

        Speakers were alloted two minutes to speak, but Mr. Luken allowed many to speak longer. The special session was held to discuss changing the city charter's rules about hiring police and fire chiefs and to give residents a chance to address council.

        The city charter now says chiefs are protected under state civil-service employment laws and must be promoted from within the police or fire divisions.

        Under an amendment proposed Tuesday by Councilmember Minette Cooper, chiefs could be hired from outside the divisions. They also would answer directly to the city manager.

        Proponents of the charter amendment, which would have to be approved by voters, said it would improve accountability.

        Many of the dozens who spoke during Tuesday's meeting, which adjourned at 8:15 p.m., said they backed the amendment.

        Among those supporting the change are the Sentinels, a group of African-American police officers, said the group's lawyer, Al Gerhardstein.

        Council chambers were so crowded that many people had to watch the meeting via TVs in adjacent rooms. At least four police officers circulated in and out of chambers. Six or seven officers, including three on horseback, were outside.

        Despite the meeting's civility, it was clear residents were upset.

        Lionel Walker said the people of Cincinnati don't have access to a government that will listen. He called Tuesday's meeting a start, but not enough.

        “Band-Aids are good for cuts,” he said. “Antiseptic is good for scrapes. But surgery is needed for real change.”

Mayor seeks understanding

        Mr. Luken said he agreed that more can be done.

        “We have to listen to one another,” he said. “I have to learn to walk in your shoes and you have to learn to walk in my shoes. And maybe through that process we can be a better and greater Cincinnati.”

        Many residents expressed frustration with the curfew. And several called for the mayor's resignation, including 14-year-old Derrick Blessingham, who wants Mr. Luken to step down “for a lack of representation and responsibility for black youth.”

        Some residents called for changes beyond altering the city charter. Willis Baker of Sayler Park was one of many speakers who said police officers should be required to live in the city. (Police officers now can live anywhere in Hamilton County.)

        Chad Wick, president of the Knowledge Works Foundation, said many whites in Cincinnati have missed previous opportunities for “important change.”

        “This is an opportunity not to be missed,” he said. “We can spring forward enormously or fall back.”

        Among the speakers calling for residents to come together and end the violence was Sapphire Siloam of Cincinnati.

        But she was shouted down by the crowd as she said, “We are showing too much hate and not enough love in our community. You talk about community development but you are tearing the community down to ruin.”

        Others offered grave warnings to city leaders, which in some cases drew audience cheers.

        “We're sick and tired of all the damn talking,” said the Rev. Abdul Muhammad Ali. “You better give us the justice we seek or you have not seen anything yet.”

        Norma J. Payne compared city officials to slave masters, Nazis, the South African government and the Ku Klux Klan.

        “Stop looking upon black people as nothing and as bad. Look for good in others and maybe you'll see the good in yourself.”

        Mr. Luken said the public hearing accomplished what he wanted — to give residents a chance to air their frustrations.

        “This allows us a chance to connect with our citizens,” he said. “They're angry. The big problem we have right now is there is no trust. That's for me, the council, the administration, anybody.”

        Enquirer reporters Dan Klepal, Amy Higgins, Andrea Tortora and Cindy Kranz contributed.

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