AKRON — The community continued to protest in Akron Saturday to show support for Jayland Walker and to rally against gun violence and police brutality.
A protest was held outside Akron City Hall, 166 S. High St. followed by a march. Out-of-town activists joined local protesters for the demonstration.
“We are demanding answers, we are demanding to know these officers’ names, we are demanding that they get fired immediately,” Samaria Rice told the crowd outside of Akron Police headquarters Saturday afternoon.
Rice is the mother of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old who was shot and killed by Cleveland Police in 2014 while carrying a replica toy gun. She told News 5 she felt compelled to support Jayland Walker's family.
“It proves that the system continues to be broken and it shows us that every time they kill –overkill– a black or brown person,” she said.
A group of protesters who were arrested earlier in the week also spoke to press Saturday, including Jacob Blake, Sr. He is the father of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, Jr., who was seriously injured in a police shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020.
Blake, Sr., was arrested and hospitalized this week after his encounter with police during protests in Akron.
“If that was the best beat up job they could do on me, send me to the hospital… well guess what - I’m still out here,” he said.
Saturday's protests come after the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man and a 4-year-old girl in Akron Friday night. The homicides prompted the Akron mayor, police chief and religious leaders to call on protesters to temporarily "stand down."
“This has been a very difficult week for Akron. The tensions are running high in this city and as the pastor said, we are asking people to stand down for at least for 48 hours. Let the temperature come down," said Police Chief Stephen Mylett during a Friday night press conference.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan issued a statement that Akron police is committed to de-escalating the situation.
“I've heard the calls for concern at the way Akron Police have responded to recent demonstrations. I’ve seen the videos and I understand that concern. I want the community to know that I am fully committed to de-escalating the tension in our city. We are always looking for ways to improve, and Chief Mylett and I have had ongoing conversations about our approach and our role in lowering the temperature and helping to de-escalate the violence and anger here in Akron. As we call for peace, we understand that call applies to all of us. I’m hopeful that we can all come to the table and begin to have the necessary conversations to create forward progress for our city.”
Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett also issued a statement in de-escalating the tension in the city.
Additionally, Walker's legal team made a statement about the continued violence in Akron. They ask for "residents to engage in non-violent demonstration."
As we have maintained since the beginning of this tragic ordeal, the Walker family is committed to achieving justice for Jayland through dignified and aggressive legal advocacy. While we are all appalled at what has transpired and are requesting an apology from the police department and the City of Akron and will be pursuing other transformative goals, violence in the streets will accomplish nothing and will only bring more anguish to our community. We are asking all residents to engage only in non-violent demonstration.
Protesters at Saturday's demonstrations said, that despite pleas from city leaders, they would not stop until they can get justice for Jayland Walker.
“I have a 27-year-old son. He’s a Doordash driver. He could have easily been pulled over, just like Jayland. I also have a 5-year-old granddaughter that could have easily been that child last night. We ask the community to take accountability, but the police have to take accountability and be transparent as well,” one protester said.
Walker was killed on June 27. He was shot multiple times by Akron police after a traffic stop turned into a pursuit and a foot chase that ended in a parking lot near Firestone Park.
During a press conference with Akron police where the department released body camera footage of the moments leading up to Walker's death, authorities showed reporters a narrated video of specific moments during the pursuit and shooting, including, near the start of the pursuit, what looks like a muzzle flash captured on an ODOT camera that police say occurred while what sounds like a gunshot is captured on body-cam.
When Jayland's vehicle slowed down he jumped out of the passenger side door wearing a ski mask and fled from police. It was during this foot chase that Walker's movements "caused the officers to perceive he posed a deadly threat to them," and they opened fire in response, striking him.
The entire incident lasted just minutes.
CLICK HERE to read News 5's continuing coverage of Jayland Walker.
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