Akron declares downtown curfew, cancels all fireworks after 50 arrested during protests
After a night of violent protests, the city of Akron on Monday morning issued an overnight curfew for downtown Akron and canceled the Fourth of July fireworks scheduled for Monday night.
The Akron Police Department reported Monday afternoon that approximately 50 adults were arrested after a curfew was declared just after midnight Sunday. Charges included rioting, failure to disperse and misconduct during an emergency. Those arrested included Akron residents as well as some residents of neighboring cities and counties, the department said in a news release.
"A team of officers provided multiple verbal commands and other instructions and offered a reasonable amount of time to compl," the release said. "Due to growing concerns that the situation could further escalate, paired with the refusal to comply with a lawful order to disperse, officers deployed a chemical irritant to prevent further rioting and property damage."
Because of the curfew, the Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority announced that all Metro services will end with the 8 p.m. outbound trips from the Transit Center.
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The Akron RubberDucks game for Monday night was also postponed because of the curfew. The team said the decision was made after consulting with the city, the Guardians and Major League Baseball.
Acme Fresh Market announced that it's closing its stores within Akron — in Ellet, Kenmore and West Akron — at 9 p.m. Monday "in support of the City of Akron’s curfew."
The curfew is for downtown Akron from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will remain in effect until another order has been issued lifting the curfew, the city said.
The curfew extends from state Route 59 (Perkins Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) to the north, state route 59 (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) to the west, I-76/I-77 to the south and state Route 8 to the east.
The moves come after intermittent violence broke out during protests downtown late Sunday night over Jayland Walker's shooting death by Akron police.
Akron police released videos Sunday of officers shooting Walker, 25, on June 27.
The escalation Sunday night into Monday morning came after several days of peaceful protests, including a full day of marches after police released the bodycam footage.
Demetrius Travis Sr., a cousin of Walker, said in a statement that the Walker family doesn't condone the "violent protest."
"We understand people are angry and frustrated not only with (the) senseless killing of our loved one Jayland Walker, but many other senseless killings of people of color at the hands of predominantly white officers across the nation, but please we ask that you protest peacefully in the fight to get justice for Jayland," Travis said.
Akron curfew details
In the executive order, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan declared a state of emergency along with declaring the curfew. The order states that protests "evolved into violence, resulting in vandalism and rioting."
It continues that "in light of the violence and damage that has occurred in the City of Akron, there is credible cause to believe that further threats of violence and unrest exist."
The order further states that "these violent and unlawful acts create an immediate danger to the health and safety of Akron's citizens and their property," and "under such circumstances, actions must be taken to protect the community."
The executive order is dated Sunday, not Monday, and officially took effect at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, according to the order.
The order says violations will be a fourth-degree misdemeanor, with people facing up to 30 days of jail time or a fine of up to $350.
Exceptions to the the curfew restrictions include:
All law enforcement, fire and medical personnel and members of the news media, as well as other personnel authorized by the city and state, or people otherwise exempt under the law.
People traveling directly between their place of work and their residence.
People traveling to seek medical care.
People fleeing from dangerous circumstances.
Akron Children’s Hospital posted a statement on social media saying that Children's employees and people seeking medical care are exempt from the city's curfew, adding, "Please do not delay seeking medical treatment."
The city fireworks were scheduled for downtown Akron, the Patterson Park Sports Complex and the Akron Fulton airport.
Tickets for Monday night's Akron RubberDucks game against the Altoona Curve can be exchanged for tickets for a future home game by contacting the box office or emailing ticketservice@akronrubberducks.com. Details on a make-up game will be released at a later date.
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Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan issues statement
“Early yesterday, we had several peaceful protests in the downtown footprint related to the officer-involved shooting of Jayland Walker. These protests did not escalate to violence and destruction. I want to first thank them," Horrigan said in a statement.
"As I stated yesterday, I fully support our residents’ right to peacefully assemble. What we have been calling for since the beginning, and what the Walker family and many community leaders and faith leaders have also urged, is peace.
"However, as night fell and others began to join, the protests became no longer peaceful. There was significant property damage done to downtown Akron. Small businesses up and down Main St. have had their windows broken.
"We cannot and will not tolerate the destruction of property or violence. In light of the damage that has occurred and in order to preserve peace in our community, I have declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew and canceled the fireworks which were scheduled for tonight.”
Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron curfew declared, fireworks canceled after 50 arrests in protests
