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Protestors push for more police accountability in Euclid

Posted at 6:29 PM, Oct 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-23 18:29:00-04

A group of just over a dozen protestors gathered outside Euclid City Hall Tuesday afternoon demanding city leaders change policies and procedures to deal with police accused of misconduct.

"I'm not anti-police," said Cassandra McDonald, President of Euclid NAACP. "I'm anti-discrimination. I'm anti-us-getting-our-butts-kicked-all-the-time.  I'm anti-us-getting-pulled-over-for-no-reason. That's what I'm anti."

The rally came one day after the NAACP issued a travel advisory for Euclid. It warned drivers to "proceed with caution when driving," as a "proactive and precautionary measure against further police misconduct, abuse, and violations of civil rights."

On Monday, an arbitrator ruled a Euclid police officer could return to work after he was fired following a violent arrest caught on camera last year.  And last week, another officer was named in what is now the sixth federal lawsuit filed in the last two years accusing Euclid police of using excessive force.  

At Tuesday's rally, demonstrators called on the city to fire both officers and to get tough on troubled cops.

"The police, they do have a tough job," said McDonald.  "But you know what? If you're going to hold us accountable, you need to hold yourself accountable too."

McDonald said she reached out to Euclid's mayor before the rally hoping to set up a meeting but never heard back from city hall.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail also did not respond to phone and email messages left by News 5.