There was very little police presence at Tuesday's protests in Columbus, until the very end of the night.
For the sixth day in a row, hundreds of people protested in downtown Columbus. Groups of demonstrators led marches around the Ohio Statehouse and up and down High Street.
This is Loyalty. She’s 6 years old. pic.twitter.com/KcUCBGWWGz
— Paige Southwick Pfleger (@PaigePfleger) June 2, 2020
Several hundred people marched to Ohio State's campus on Tuesday afternoon and called for the university to cut ties with Columbus Police, something that the Ohio State student government demanded in a letter to school officials.
Students chant, “Cut ties with the CPD!” Last night @ohiostate student journalists from @TheLantern were maced by Columbus Police while covering the protests, even after identifying themselves as members of the media. pic.twitter.com/fPJV26b4mW
— Paige Southwick Pfleger (@PaigePfleger) June 2, 2020
At about 9 p.m., protesters left downtown and marched four miles north past Ohio State's campus. The 10 p.m. curfew came and went with protesters still on the streets.
There was hardly any police presence until a few protesters tried to march down the entrance ramp of I-71 South at East Hudson Street, which prompted Columbus Police and SWAT teams to arrive on the scene. Many protesters dispersed shortly after that, around 11:30 p.m.
Tense moment between protesters and police. Some protesters tried to walk on to I-71 Southbound. Others took a street. An entire swat team just arrived in a bus. pic.twitter.com/Ya3R8HGRWz
— Paige Southwick Pfleger (@PaigePfleger) June 3, 2020
Columbus city officials have criticized Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan for the department's aggressive approach to protesters, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray and wooden bullets to disperse crowds.
A curfew remains in place for Columbus indefinitely.
