Ferguson protest ends Downtown; 15 arrested

A three-hour march through downtown Cincinnati to show solidarity with the citizens of Ferguson, Missouri, resulted in arrests when the crowd briefly shut down Interstate 75 Tuesday night with chants of "No justice, no peace."

A total of 15 people were arrested during the protests, charged with civil unrest and held without bail, according to Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Melissa Powers.

For the most part the 80 to 100 people were peaceful, first gathering on the steps of the Federal Courthouse where National Action Network leaders and Mayor John Cranley addressed the crowd. The group then marched north to Over-the-Rhine, some wearing white masks. Others had signs: "Black lives matter," "How many more?" and "Justice requires a trial."

At times, together, they raised their hands in the air, saying: "Don't shoot."

The crowd gathered to protest a Missouri grand jury's decision not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown Jr., an unarmed black St. Louis native. The Monday decision set off violence in Ferguson and protests across America.

Cincinnati Police Lt. Col. James Whalen said he wasn't surprised the march turned into "a bit of a walk," but he wasn't expecting people to walk on the highway.

About 30 minutes into the march, demonstrators scaled concrete barriers and emerged on northbound Interstate 75. Police had closed that stretch of highway, but nearby southbound traffic hadn't been stopped.

Demonstrators turned up on the southbound side as well, prompting police to make arrests.

The police had resources in place to keep everyone on I-75 north safe, but when the protesters began to climb the retaining wall between north and south, Whalen said he ordered arrests to be made.

"We wanted to let people say what they wanted to say and express themselves," he said. "Fortunately there were no reportable offenses committed, no one was hurt, no property was damaged, and so we were able to leapfrog traffic and clear the way."

Ten to 20 officers escorted the crowd, some in cars and motorcycles, others on foot. The crowd dispersed about 8:30 p.m. Officers were polite, but insisted all traffic laws be followed, meaning the crowd waited at red lights when needed.

The march went a number of miles before it was over, Whalen said.

Scenes in the street were reminiscent of Cincinnati's 2001 unrest and riots, sparked by the fatal police shooting of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed black man. Some in the crowd shouted Thomas' name.

Just as now, protesters took to the streets. However, unlike on Tuesday, rioters and looters took control of city streets in Over-the-Rhine and the West End during the 2001 troubles.

When it was over, the police department underwent dramatic reforms that changed the way officers train and interact with the community. Community leaders, city officials and police also worked together under terms of a "collaborative agreement" meant to improve the relationship between police and the neighborhoods they patrol.

"Like all of you, I sympathize with the loss of life and the events that are unfolding in Ferguson," Cranley told the crowd. "I can sympathize with all aspects with what (Ferguson) is experiencing because we have gone through similar tensions in the past."

Herb Winston, 48, of College Hill and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a law degree, said he has struggled to explain recent events, including Brown's fatal shooting, to his sons, ages 19 and 23. "Hearing about these killings is disappointing," he said. "I am disappointed to be back out on the streets talking about these same issues."

Adrian Farmer, 21, of Fairfield referenced the 2001 Cincinnati events, as well. "I believe in the cause; I believe in the police being there to protect us," he said. "But we support a change. What happened with indictment was wrong. Can it happen here? It already did with Timothy Thomas."

Officer Michael Roach was tried for killing Thomas in 2001 but acquitted.

Jada Lyshe, 22, of Avondale, a crowd leader, said, "Cincinnati said to the world, 'What happened in Ferguson in unacceptable. This is not over.'"