NEWS

Six arrested during Sam DuBose rally

Scott Wartman, Emilie Eaton, and Cameron Knight
Damon Lynch IV, the son of Rev. Damon Lynch III, gestures for Cincinnati Police officers to smile moments before he is arrested in near Fountain Square Friday night after a vigil for Samuel DuBose turned into a march through the streets of Over-the-Rhine and Downtown Cincinnati.

The rally to honor Sam DuBose began peacefully but ended with anxious moments between law enforcement and some demonstrators.

Police arrested at least six people Friday night after the rally crossed through Fountain Square.

The night started with prayers and candlelight on the steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse during a vigil called Light Up the Night for Sam DuBose. Demonstrators then marched through Over-the-Rhine, Downtown and Fountain Square where tensions rose.

Despite the confrontation, no property damage or violent arrests were reported.

The demonstrators walked through Fountain Square once, went around the block and then went through the square again. The musicians stopped their performance as demonstrators chanted "Hands up, don't shoot" as more than 50 officers began to line Fifth Street.

The demonstrators continued through the square, walking along Fifth Street. One demonstrator went up to a police officer and yelled, "Do you want to shoot me in the head, too?" but never made contact with the officer.

It was the second time through Fountain Square when tempers flared between police and demonstrators. And that's when the arrests began.

Cincinnati police Captain Doug Wiesman said officers made an initial arrest because an individual threatened a business in Over-the-Rhine. While arresting the first individual, other demonstrators tried to obstruct justice, he said. It was not clear when the first individual threatened the business and specifically why the arrest was made Friday evening.

Wiesman said police officers told the demonstrators to get away so officers could do their job but they didn't, instead getting in officers' faces. At least six were arrested. Black Lives Matter Cincinnati posted to Facebook that eight were arrested and were seeking money for bail and legal expenses.

Among those arrested was Damon Lynch IV, son of Rev. Damon Lynch III.

"I didn't see violence of any kind," Rev. Troy Jackson said. He said he saw the younger Lynch checking on another person who was being arrested when he was pushed to the ground by another officer.

Rev. Damon Lynch III, who was pivotal in developing the Collaborative Agreement after the 2001 civil unrest, was driving home when he received a call that his son was in jail.

The elder Lynch explained he doesn't think much has changed since 2001.

"It's the same. It's almost the exact same," he said. "An African American male shot by police officer unarmed. People using their first amendment rights. In that respect, nothing has changed."

Children hold signs asking for justice for DuBose at the rally in his honor.

The DuBose family disowned the march after the peaceful candlelight vigil. With a bullhorn in hand, Sam DuBose's mother, Audrey DuBose in front of the courthouse urged the final dozen or so demonstrators to go home. Afterwards, she expressed her disappointment.

"It went terrible," Audrey DuBose said. "There was a lot of confusion and I'm not about confusion. I'm for peace."

DuBose's cousin, Dominic DuBose, wanted to make sure the public knew the DuBose family didn't have anything to do with the march after the vigil.

"The beginning of the protest was peaceful." Dominic DuBose said. "What happened afterwards was not the family."

Demonstrators gathered around 9 p.m Friday to pray, sing and light candles for Sam DuBose, who was shot and killed by ex-UC Police Officer Ray Tensing July 19. Earlier this week, Tensing posted bond and the Black Lives Matter announced, "We will will not go quietly into the night."

"We have to continue to be heard, we can't let this die down, we have to keep making noise!" the group in said a Facebook post.

Less than 24 hours later, the steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse were filled with people.

Hundreds of candles threw a warm glow on the gray walls of the courthouse as the demonstrators sang "This Little Light of Mine" led by Rev. Peterson Mingo.

Demonstrators greeted their fellow demonstrators with "Peace be with you."

Earlier, Rosemary Parker of Northside voiced her disappointment with how the case against Tensing is developing. "The bond was a joke," Parker said before the rally. "I think it's garbage that he's given the right to fight for his job."

Audrey DuBose said the issue transcends race.

"They want to turn it into a racial issue," Audrey DuBose said. "It's not a racial issue. It's good versus bad."

Despite the tense ending to the evening, the large turnout comforted Sam DuBose's family. Sam DuBose's cousin, Shannae Figgs, of Colerain, said they've had a lot of sleepless nights.

"The support from people who don't know Sam, it helps," Figgs said. "It helps to see so many people that support the family."