Dozens of people gathered together Thursday night to discuss the strained relationship Euclid residents have with local law enforcement.
Many pointed to the summer incident when Richard Hubbard III was repeatedly punched during an arrest by Officer Michael Amiott.
Amiott has since been fired.
"Over the past year, we've had a number of incidents involving police,” said Dr. Richard T. Montgomery. "Democracy only works when I care about what my neighbor’s interests are."
Montgomery moderated the discussion. He said residents also need to see better housing, more employment and recreation.
Sam Herron, a white Euclid resident, said that "white individuals in our society undoubtedly have a privilege that cannot continue to be ignored, cannot be continued to be swept under the rug.”
"It should not be in the position of people of color to have to talk about that. We have this privilege; how can we dismantle these systems of oppression that have discriminated against people of color, Herron said."
"Black lives are not being valued, and are not being given the same value as other lives and that something we cannot stand for," Herron said.
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