CINCINNATI - Demonstrators and Cincinnati police had a face-to-face confrontation at one point, but cool heads prevailed and hundreds continued to march loudly but peacefully Saturday night calling for another trial for Ray Tensing.
A five-minute confrontation took place after police blocked the marchers from using a sidewalk in Over-the-Rhine. Marchers started chanting, “Our street, our street,” and police eventually let them pass.
Cincinnati Police blocking off sidewalk for protestors. 5 minute confrontation and they move for them. pic.twitter.com/bXcferesTy
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 8, 2017
WATCH Jake Ryle's report in the video player above.
Marchers chanted and carried signs demanding justice for Sam DuBose, shot by Tensing when the then University of Cincinnati officer pulled him over on a traffic stop on July 19, 2015.
"People are obviously very passionate about this," said onlooker Michael Bizzari, who watched the scene on Vine Street. "It's one of the craziest things I've ever seen. I've never seen anything like this."
Brian Taylor, a leader of Black Lives Matter of Cincinnati, said the marchers carried a message.
"No one is being hurt, but we are having a disruption to let this city know it is not OK what happened," Taylor said.
Police had asked demonstrators to stay on the sidewalk at the start of the march, but they refused.
"We will be marching in the streets," organizers say police have asked demonstrators to stay on sidewalks. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/uSaS2LOuFw
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 8, 2017
Police used their bicycles to contain marchers and keep them from turning down certain streets and alleys..
Cincinnati Police using bikes to block roads from protestors. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/6vtYWiVuq0
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 8, 2017
Marchers proceeded on both sidewalks as they moved south on Vine.
Demonstrators now on both sidewalks at 12th & Vine. pic.twitter.com/hp8cWR0uEN
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 8, 2017
At 12th and Vine the marchers spilled into the street and police pulled back.
Protestors in street on Vine. Bike patrols have been pushed back several blocks. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/Kw662VuMQi
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 8, 2017
The march ended with a moment of silence followed by chants of "Justice for Sam."
A moment of silence, followed by, "Justice for Sam" chants. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/2OVHfDWTTj
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) July 9, 2017
Black Lives Matter of Cincinnati and the Countdown to Conviction Coalition had scheduled a march and rally from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. starting at Findlay Park. They said they're seeking justice for DuBose and a conviction for Tensing. Tensing has been tried twice on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter. Both ended in mistrials when the juries couldn't reach a unanimous verdict.
DuBose’s family is demanding a third retrial. Prosecutor Joe Deters is expected to announce his decision next week. Deters must decide by July 24 when the next court hearing is scheduled.
See WCPO’s complete coverage at WCPO.com/TensingTrial.
