Akron, Ohio, sets downtown curfew, cancels fireworks after Jayland Walker rally

Officials on Monday set up a 9pm curfew for downtown Akron, Ohio, and canceled a fireworks show amid protests over the police killing of black motorcyclist Jayland Walker.

Mayor Dan Horrigan said the action was necessary due to the risk of violence and property damage in the northeast Ohio downtown district.

Police on Sunday released officers‘prom camera footage of the June 27 shooting and Horrigan praising protesters for their initial “peaceful” rally “did not escalate to violence and destruction.”

“However, as night fell and others began to join in, the protests were no longer peaceful.” said in a statement. “There is significant property damage to downtown Akron.”

The mayor said small businesses on and below Main Street have been damaged and the city “cannot and will not tolerate vandalism or violence.”

“In light of the damage that has been done and to preserve the peace in our community, I have declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew and canceled the fireworks scheduled for this evening.” , Horrigan added.

Downtown Akron currently has a curfew from 9pm Monday to 6am Tuesday, by the mayor’s executive order.

The curfew area is bordered by Highway 59 (also known as Perkins Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue) to the north, Interstates 76 and 77 to the south, Highway 8 to the east and Ave. Martin Luther King Jr. in the West.

Fireworks scheduled for July 4 for downtown Akron, at Patterson Park Sports Complex, and at Akron Fulton Airport were cancelled.

eight policemen, Currently on administrative leaveshot Walker after he jumped out of the moving vehicle, officials said.

Officers reportedly fired dozens of shots and Walker’s loved ones questioned why such overwhelming lethal force was used. A gun was found in Walker’s car but not on his body police said when officers fired a series of fatal shots.