Oberlin protests at Tappan Square

OBERLIN — At Tappan Square, protestors lay in the grass as organizers spoke on the injustice with George Floyd and injustices in Oberlin. Before marching to the post office, speakers urged change within the justice system and police departments across the U.S. "Every day of my life, I'm aware of the fragility of our lives in the face of police violence," said Oberlin College professor Charles Peterson. "That violence for black bodies is in the DNA of this nation. It is constant as the sun and as regular as the times." Peterson called for changes within the Oberlin Police Department as he said policing in America must be completely changed across the country. He called for these changes: Oberlin City Council to establish a citizen review board for the Oberlin Police Department; a complete and public review of the use of force policy in Oberlin; when necessary, adopt research-driven policies that reduce the use of force; ban choke holds and strangleholds; give a warning before shooting; exhaust all possible options before shooting; require officers to intervene if necessary; ban shooting at moving vehicles; require a use of force continuum; and require extensive reporting of use of force. An organizer of the Oberlin protest, Johnny Spinkston Jr., said there's a duty to stand and speak up against injustices like Floyd's death. He urged white people to hold conversations among themselves to discuss racism and systemic racism. "I've cared my whole life," Spinkston said. "I cared before I knew to care. The justice system has been making decisions for me and my family before I was born. ... It's important that we speak up against police. It's important that you speak up for people of color, white people. It is important to say Black Live Matter, and to say why black lives matter." In front of the Post Office, about 100 protesters in Oberlin took a moment of silence for Floyd and others who've lost their lives to police. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.