Columbus police arrested two people and deployed chemical agents to quell protesters near Broad and High Streets Sunday afternoon.
It was the first time in days that there had been a clash between police and protesters.
Columbus police Commander Smith Weir said one person was arrested because the person had thrown a motorized scooter at an officer in front of the McKinley statue on South High Street. Another person was also arrested.
Weir said that mace was used during the skirmish in front of South High Street. He said mace was also used when officers were surrounded by protesters.
At around 4:30 p.m., Columbus police units were called from all over the city to Broad and High Streets to help with the response to about 250 protesters.
The tension seemed to lessen as the number of protesters dwindled to about 100 around 5:45 p.m.. There were about 50 police officers, most in riot gear, who stood in the intersection of Broad and High Streets.
The high police presence left the intersection within an hour.
Mayor Andrew Ginther issued a directive Tuesday barring police from using tear gas and other chemical agents against peaceful protesters. Ginther also limited the use of pepper spray to instances of clear violence.
Ginther, though, issued a statement Sunday that supported the police action.
"We have been clear about respecting and protecting peaceful protest. We also must keep city streets open to the public to travel and protect residents from lawlessness including the drag racing, fires and injuries in recent nights," Ginther said.
The crowd had ignored repeated commands for more than an hour.
"As police tried to clear streets, they were met with violence from some and took action, including using mace and pepper spray as appropriate to keep crowds in sidewalks."
"I will reiterate again that we respect and encourage peaceful protest, but aggressive acts that put police and protesters in danger cannot be tolerated."
Protesters were angered by the use of chemical agents, saying the city had already gone back on its promise.
Josh Williams of the Millennium Movement, who has been present for most of the demonstrations, said that he didn’t see the scooter throwing incident but did view the immediate aftermath at Broad and High Streets.
"Officers were using their bikes as weapons," Williams said, noting that officers used bikes to push people back. That is also when tear gas was deployed on the crowd.
"They did everything that they said they weren’t going to do. They used excessive force and tear gas," Williams said.
Williams said he plans to call Mayor Ginther and to discuss what happened.
A man at the tent where first aid was administered, who would not give his name said there were at least 40 people who came to them for water to wash out their eyes after the tear gas.
A number of the protesters were carrying black signs with white lettering and reflective material on the back, which some would use to reflect the sun into officers’ eyes.
Among the slogans on the signs were calls for the firing of Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan. Other sign dealt with the use of tear gas on protesters.
Occasionally the protesters would simultaneously hit their signs on the ground and chanted on direction from a woman on a bullhorn.
Tear gas and pepper spray were deployed during the early days of protests Downtown in late May and early June, causing a public outcry.
Among those expressing concern were City Council President Shannon Hardin and U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Franklin County's Jefferson Township, who were among a crowd sprayed by police along Broad and High streets on May 30.
Keith Ferrell, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, issued a statement Sunday evening that noted the activities around the Statehouse and Broad and High Streets started May 28. Ferrell said those who engage in damaging or looting businesses or impeding the rights of others are not engaged in peaceful protest.
"We have also supported peaceful and lawful protests and it is unfortunate that these criminals have taken away your ability to voice your opinion. It is time for the mayor and other elected officials along with the citizens of Columbus to demand this this is stopped before someone gets seriously hurt."
jwoods@dispatch.com
@Woodsnight