Is anything really being done? :: Essays Papers

Is anything really being done? In April 2001, Timothy Thomas, age 19, was shot and killed by Cincinnati Police Officer, Stephen Roach. Thomas ran from the officer while Roach was trying to arrest him for violations that were brought against him in the past. Timothy Thomas was wanted for 14 various minor misdemeanors for driving without a driver’s license and two of those misdemeanors were for not wearing a seat belt. However, Roach had said that his life was in danger that dark April night, when Thomas ran to the threatening alley, so Officer Roach’s instincts told him to shoot the gun. Riots broke out and â€Å"Mayor Charlie Luken declares a state of emergency† (Goetz). This led to countless arrest among many young citizens of Cincinnati. â€Å"Small groups of vandals roamed several neighborhoods†¦ breaking windows, looting stores and assaulting at least one white motorist who was dragged from her car, police said† (The Associated Press). The Enquirer states, â€Å"Protest er’s overturn planters and hot dog stands† as well (Goetz). This vandalism persisted for three days and it was getting out of hand so there was a â€Å"citywide curfew beginning at 8 p.m† (Goetz). The curfews ended in four nights. Mayor Charlie Luken said, â€Å"We may call in the National Guard to help quell the violent protest† (The Associated Press). Thomas’ mother spoke out in grief; however, she did not want this conflict between the city to continue. Nonetheless, since the April riots, the community has not been the same for Cincinnati. Everything is a race issue, for African Americans, they feel things aren’t going their way. As for Whites, they feel everything is now going the African Americans way. However, Mayor Charlie Luken is creating ideas to get this city back on its feet. Things are being done to help Cincinnati. Since these out breaks have happened in Cincinnati in April, many citizens are scared to go downtown. One woman said, â€Å"One of the most unusual effects of the discord was that it kept on going, seemingly without end† (Enquirer). Another youth says that he was â€Å"effected by all of the riots, curfews, the disruption on the businesses, effects on race relations, and has heard all kinds of reactions† (Kuley).