An African-American leader stood on the steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse Saturday and urged African-Americans to seek justice at the polls in Timothy Thomas' shooting death.

        Norma Holt Davis, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Cincinnati chapter, protested the not-guilty verdicts delivered to Officer Stephen Roach this week by Hamilton County Municipal Judge Ralph E. Winkler.

IF YOU GO

The Cincinnati chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wants to discuss the not-guilty verdicts for Officer Stephen Roach and how the African-American community can move forward. It will hold town hall meetings 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at these locations:    • Emanuel Community Center, 1308 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.    • Bond Hill Recreation Center, 1501 Elizabeth Place.    • Hirsch Community Center, 3630 Reading Road, Avondale.

        African-Americans can make their feelings known by voting for Issue 5 this fall, she said. The charter amendment would make it easier for the city to recruit fire and police chief candidates from outside the city.

        “Let the defeat that we suffered Wednesday become a victory at the polls. You must vote Nov. 6,” she said. “The verdict reinforced that police may, with impunity, shoot and kill ... African-Americans without fear or punishment. We need to send a message to the City of Cincinnati that 44 percent of the population will not be treated as second-class citizens.”

        Ms. Davis spoke to a small gathering, mainly other NAACP members. She stressed that African-Americans must help Cincinnati heal from April's violence, accusations of racism, Judge Winkler's verdict and any consequent fallout.

        To gather input, the NAACP is holding three town hall meetings Tuesday night. The local civil rights group has kicked off a “get-out-to-vote” campaign which aims to register eligible voters. On Saturday, the NAACP held an open house at its new Voter Empowerment Office, 4439 Reading Road, Suite 202.

        Voting “has always been of great importance. This year is no different,” said Khabeer Akbar, a member of the local NAACP. But, “more people are becoming aware of their mistreatment. More people are discussing it.”

        Mr. Akbar is coordinator for the NAACP's Voter Empowerment Office.
       

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