Socialist Viewpoint

Despite heavy morning showers and threats by the Cincinnati Police to use every means, including lethal force, to maintain order, over 1500 people gathered at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati to rally and march against police killings, racial profiling and for social and economic justice.

The march was called by a diverse coalition of African American, community, anti-globalization, and other forces. The endorser list was broad, including unions, women’s groups, community and religious groups, political organizations, college and youth groups.

Speakers included Angela Leisure, the mother of Timothy Thomas, the young black man shot by police here in April, touching off several days of anger and protest. Former governor of Ohio, and current Cincinnati School Board member, John Gilligan, spoke, as did Baldemar Velasquez, the head of the Farmer Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), AFL-CIO. Families of other youth shot by the police in other cities were also present on the stage.

Participants in the rally and march came from several cities in the Midwest. And some came from as far away as Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.

The march and rally was one of the biggest political demonstrations in Cincinnati in years. It was far and away the best organized rally and march in many years. There was a large number of monitors, all in matching t-shirts, who did an excellent job of keeping things functioning smoothly. Beautiful signs with slogans, like No Justice, No Peace, Justice For All, and March for Justice were provided by the March committee. It was rare to find a person without a sign. The march had its own website for internet organizing. Also, educational sessions took place both Thursday and Friday before the March.

After the rally on Fountain Square there was a march to a neighborhood park where march participants joined others at the annual McCracken Day, a day set aside here in Cincinnati every year to honor the life and work of Maurice McCracken, a local peace and justice activist who passed away a few years ago.

Unlike other marches in Cincinnati in the recent past, the police maintained a relatively low profile.