COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police in Ohio’s capital city are investigating claims that officers maced a man with disabilities during a rally this weekend, the mayor said Monday.
A viral video shows a man with prosthetic legs curled on the sidewalk as passers-by care for him and call for medical help.
“We are taking the matter very seriously and working diligently to find video, photos and additional information,” Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted Monday afternoon.
I have seen the video and photo of the disabled man downtown last night. We are taking the matter very seriously and working diligently to find video, photos and additional information.
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) June 22, 2020
Chemical spray was used Sunday when police say protesters moved from sidewalks to the streets in downtown Columbus and refused to disperse.
“We’re not talking about peaceful protests,” said Columbus police spokesman Sgt. James Fuqua. “We’re talking about demonstrators who are committing illegal acts.”
On Sunday, Ginther said the city encourages and respects peaceful protests, “but aggressive acts that put police and protesters in danger cannot be tolerated.”
Some protesters said the use of the spray was unwarranted and police overreacted.
“Some people got their cars blocked in for maybe five, 10 minutes at top, but they got escorted through,” Dejuan Sharp told WCMH-TV. “It’s nothing where this problem with all these cop cars to be out here, nothing for that.”
Another look pic.twitter.com/A85PV1342S
— Jessi Starkey (@JessiStarkey) June 21, 2020
Columbus and cities nationwide and around the world have experienced multiple protests against racism and police brutality since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer last month.
On June 16, Ginther issued an order prohibiting police use of tear gas and limited use of pepper spray to clear streets and disperse peaceful demonstrators.
Sunday’s use of chemical spray conflicted with those directives, said Shannon Hardin, Columbus City Council president.
“I ask all our peaceful protesters and police leadership to stay engaged to help keep the protests safe for all who want to use their voice to call for change,” Hardin said in a statement.
