South Lorain protest remains calm, spurs dialogue (VIDEOS)

LORAIN — South Lorain residents and Lorain police officers joined in solidarity to walk in protest for racial justice. South Lorain resident Veronica Filchuk said she organized the protest because she wanted to do more in her part of the city. Filchuk said she also was inspired because of a post of Facebook questioning why Cleveland needed to protest when George Floyd's death was in Minneapolis. Floyd was killed in the custody of a police officer who held his knee to Floyd's neck until he died. "This is a diverse community, but there's still some ignorance," Filchuk said. "This affects all of us. Even if there's just a few of us that gather, we're still getting the message out." But there was more than a few people who showed up to Oakwood Park on Monday. About 50 people walked around the block of the park, chanting for justice for Floyd. Cars passing along state Route 57 honked horns and put their fists in the air, a sign of solidarity with those protesting. Several police officers were present at the event and one, Officer Miguel Baez, joined protesters in the front as they walked. Along the way, a neighbor outside of her house with her dog shouted out. "Keep it up, I support you," she yelled. When protesters arrived back where they started, they lay on the ground with hands behind their backs for nine minutes, representing the time Floyd lay on the ground before dying. Baez joined in with them on the ground. Filchuk thanked the officers for joining them. Chief Jim McCann was unable to join the protest due to a City Council meeting, but Lt. Dan Reinhardt said things were going to change around the Lorain Police Department. "There's something special in Lorain — the unity and diversity," Reinhardt said. "We're united as one community. I think we're an example for other communities. The other thing that's so amazing about Lorain is that we stood up against injustice, but we did it the right way." Over the weekend, protests across the country — and in Cleveland — turned violent as police officers fired tear gas and pepper balls in the crowds and rioters looted businesses. Lorain had another protest Sunday in which police joined in and it remained calm as did the one Monday. "The Lorain Police Department recognizes this is not a use of force problem," Reinhardt said. "It's a relationship problem. So we're focusing on the relationship with the community. You're going to see us out there. You're going to see involved in churches and barbershops and public places. Getting to know you so we can understand how we can better serve." Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.