Three weeks after a fight broke out in front of Evolution -sparking accusations of racism by local law enforcement -a four-member panel is organizing the first meeting to discuss race relations in Athens.
The meeting, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, is the first step in building relationships between minority students and residents and police departments, said Athens Police Department Capt. David Williams, a member of the committee.
Williams said the goal of the group is to focus on police-minority relations and look at the scope of potential problems.
The panel consists of Williams; Mark Mathews, assistant chief of the Ohio University Police Department; Francine Childs, OU professor of African-American studies; and Pastor Leon Forte with Grace Christian Center in Athens.
Hopefully by the end of this summer we'll be able to have some kind of understanding or recommendations for our departments
Williams said.
The fight, which broke out around 2 a.m. June 4 in front of Evolution, 19 S. Court St., escalated when bystanders joined in, said APD Officer Brian Lushbaugh, who was one of four officers Uptown that night.
Nine people were arrested, including six OU students, five of whom are minorities.
The incident was the first time Athens police used their taser guns, which were purchased during Spring Quarter.
At the June 7 Athens City Council meeting, about 200 students, residents and local and state officials voiced complaints and concerns about local law enforcement.
Childs was the first to speak and called for sensitivity and diversity training for APD and OUPD. She said, to her knowledge, there are not any black or Hispanic officers on the Athens Police force.
It is very crucial that we understand cultural diversity Childs said. If we can have regular meetings I believe it will help.
She also requested the council strongly consider stopping the use of tasers by officers.
All six of the OU students who were arrested spoke at the meeting, sharing their stories and the effect the arrest had on how they felt about living in Athens.
Julio Cumba, who was tasered during the incident, said he felt APD officers caused and perpetuated a violent situation.
I personally feel betrayed by the Athens Police
he said.
OU student Lonnie Masher, who described himself as a first generation Arab-American
said the students who were arrested were punished because another group of people were fighting, and APD targeted them because they were minorities.
Although we are only temporary residents
we are this community
Masher said. Please do not let this outrage turn into hatred.
Robert Robinson, a vice president for the Ohio National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Jan Griesinger, former director of United Campus Ministry, also were among those who spoke at the meeting.
While the police did not send representatives to the meeting, council President Bill Bias, who was acting mayor at the time, read a statement from Williams, in which Williams said the APD did not feel city council was a place to discuss ongoing court cases.
During the meeting, council members said much of what people were calling for, including discipline of police officers, was out of their hands, but said they appreciated the dialogue.
Councilwoman Debbie Phillips, D-4th Ward, invited those at the meeting to participate in a previously defunct community relations committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward, said that council members have heard some additional complaints since that meeting, but the creation of the race relations panel has left everyone with a what will happen next attitude.
She said council members hope to restart the community relations committee with the help of students and residents.
Council is working pretty hard to move the community relations committee to more prominence
to focus on inclusiveness and diversity
she said.
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