Almost 40 clergy members spent Saturday “walking, talking and praying for justice” in a prayer walk through Over-the-Rhine, where a Cincinnati police officer fatally shot an unarmed African-American man last month and unleashed anger, sorrow and outrage in the African-American community.

        The pastors from throughout Greater Cincinnati also did a lot of listening as they walked through one of Cincinnati's most beleaguered neighborhoods. They heard residents' tales about large rats roaming apartment buildings, frustrating encounters with Cincinnati police officers, and fearful forecasts that riots will strike again.

Ministers and church leaders from around Greater Cincinnati hold hands at Nast Trinity United Methodist Church on Race Street before a prayer walk through Over-the-Rhine on Saturday. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        A Hamilton County grand jury is expected to decide this week whether to indict Officer Stephen Roach for the April 7 death of Timothy Thomas, 19. The Rev. Damon Lynch III, who urged clergy members to participate in Saturday's prayer walk, already has promised civil disobedience if there is no indictment or one on only misdemeanor charges.

        The Rev. Mr. Lynch is the spiritual leader of New Prospect Baptist Church in Over-the-Rhine and is one of three co-chairs of Mayor Charlie Luken's new race commission.

        On Saturday, he told his fellow clergy members that it's imperative to get into the neighborhood that is suffering from “the vestiges of 30 years of disinvestment.” Over-the-Rhine also bore the brunt of the riots in the days after Mr. Thomas' death.

        “Underneath, there is a lot of anger and a lot of passion. The faith community has been too quiet,” the Rev. Mr. Lynch said.

        He and others participating in the prayer walk first gathered at Nast Trinity United Methodist Church, 1310 Race St., where the Rev. Lionel Walker talked about the need to leave the church and reach out to the secular community.

        “If we have a few who are sincere, we can turn this world around,” he said.

        The clergy broke into teams of three, talking to passers-by as they made their way to Findlay Market, which neighborhood and suburban residents visit. The historic open-air market suffered many broken windows and looting during the riots.

        “It's time for the killing to stop. That's the major theme,” said Sterling Hawks, a church administrator at New Prospect Baptist Church. He was with Bob Peraza, a member of St. Margaret of York Church in Deerfield Township, and John Linder, a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College.

        They talked to Patrina Dean, 25, who said she doesn't know if the clergy members' attempt to reach out would stanch the expected unrest.

        “I really have no idea what's going to help this,” she said.

        Adrian and Kawana Blasingame also don't know what can ease tensions. The siblings would have rather seen Mayor Luken and city council members on Over-the-Rhine streets, they said, but the clergy's presence Saturday helped.

        “It's a start. It was a fresh start. It's good they came down,” said Mr. Blasingame, 22.

        Jim Metzger, 66, an Episcopalian who is retired and living in Hyde Park, admits that the next months could be an uphill battle for the city.

        His participation Saturday “is the least I can do ... just to let them know that the church is here,” he said.

        “I'm part of the city. I was born in Madisonville. It's where I live, and this means a lot to me.”

        He said he is disturbed that 15 black males have been killed by officers since 1995. Three were unarmed. Six had guns.

        But, “15 black men have (died) and it took four to five years to look at it. That's difficult to understand,” he said.
       

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