Cleveland Police arrested 71 protestors Saturday night for charges ranging from felonious assault to unlawful congregation. A member of the Greene County Black Lives Matter was among them.
Cleveland’s Police Chief Calvin Williams said Sunday that the strategy to protect the city after a judge acquitted Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo was to stop violence before it began.
When a protestor threw a sign into a restaurant in downtown Cleveland, there was an arrest. When protestors gathered in mass and refused to disperse, there were MORE arrests.
"We wanted to make sure that people understand, we’re going to help you in this process, but if things turn violent as we stated in the beginning we will take action," Williams said.
On Saturday evening, there was little sign of violence on the city’s far east side where ten people gathered to protest.
“No Justice, no peace.”
By late Sunday afternoon, there was little sign of tension downtown. Tourists rode trolley cars; sports fans filled restaurants and venues; and little kids stood with Mounted Police on E. Fourth street for pictures.