Medina extends peaceful Black Lives Matter protests into weekend - cleveland.com

MEDINA, Ohio -- The city of Medina did itself proud Saturday (June 6) with two peaceful demonstrations to show dismay and anger over the killing of George Floyd, a black man, by white policemen in Minneapolis and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The first demonstration began on Public Square at 1 p.m. A crowd of about 300 people stood on the square with handmade signs protesting racism and police brutality. Some signs read “Black Lives Matter,” End Racism,” “I Can’t Breathe” and “A Movement, not a Moment.”

Megan Bauer of Medina held a sign reading “It Could Have Been My Son, Momma, Black Lives Matter." She explained that her son is biracial. He recently graduated from the police academy because he wants to work for change.

Ruth Loya, left, of Hinckley Township, and Megan Bauer of Medina were on hand for the first of Saturday's Black Lives Matter protests in Medina. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

Bauer’s friend Ruth Loya of Hinckley Township brought some levity to the demonstration with her sign reading, “The Only Thing That Should be Separated by Color is Laundry.”

The demonstration was organized by Carol Brenstuhl of Medina County Together. She said her only role was to publicize the event. She was delighted that people came out in support.

For the two hours of the event, a young woman with a megaphone led chants that the crowd enthusiastically and loudly joined in on.

Protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally in the Medina Square Saturday, June 6, take a knee and chant "I can't breathe" for 9 minutes in memory of George Floyd. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

They chanted rhythmically, “No justice, no peace,” Black Lives Matter,” “Hands Up, Don’t shoot,” “Hey, hey, ho, ho, these racist cops have got to go,” “George Floyd, Breanna Taylor,” over and over, each chant repeated five or six times before the next one began.

As the crowd chanted and held their signs toward passing traffic on the busy square, many drivers tooted their horns and raised their fists out their window to show support.

According to Ward 1 City Council Representative Jessica Hazeltine, “It just shows how much Medina cares.”

At 2 p.m., the chant changed to “I Can’t Breathe,” echoing the last words of George Floyd as the Minneapolis policemen knelt on his back and neck. The crowd knelt on the grass to chant and continued for 9 minutes -- the duration of Floyd’s torture. That 9 minutes seemed to last forever.

Several businesses in and around the Medina square closed during the Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday, June 6, and a few boarded up their storefront windows. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

Medina Police Chief Edward Kinney quietly watched over the crowd and said, “It’s a peaceful demonstration of people exercising their First Amendment rights.”

He commented that several police officers from around the county were present to support Medina’s police force; luckily, no police action was needed.

As the crowd dispersed shortly before 3 p.m., many moved toward Dan’s Dogs restaurant at 111 W. Liberty St., just off the square, where manager Phil Cubic and his staff grilled and then handed out free hot dogs and bottles of water to 300 people.

Cubic was concerned that other stores were closing or boarding up their windows against any possible violence or vandalism. He said wanted to make a gesture of support for the demonstration.

A crowd listens as the Rev. Arthur Ruffin of Medina's Second Baptist Church talks about his experiences as a black man. He organized the second Black Lives Matter protest of the day on the square in Medina on Saturday (June 6). (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

The second demonstration began at 4 p.m, called by the Rev. Arthur Ruffin of Second Baptist Church, 451 Bronson St. in Medina. Ruffin had urged, “Come peaceful in your actions, but aggressive with your voices.”

This demonstration was more like a prayer meeting than a political rally, despite the presence of many local political figures.

The event drew a crowd of 400 people -- much more diverse than the mainly white group at 1 p.m. The African-American community was more widely represented at this demonstration.

The protest included prayers, singing by the Second Baptist Praise Team, and heartfelt commentary by Ruffin, who is black.

“If I didn’t speak up, I’d be just as guilty as the police who killed George Floyd," he said of why he organized the protest.

“As a black man, I feel threatened every day, but I believe Medina can make a change," Ruffin said.

He cited his friendship with Chief Kinney and Mayor Dennis Hanwell, and told the crowd that he had met with both of them and decided that “it’s time to say enough is enough.”

He explained to white audience members why blacks repeat “Black Lives Matter,” despite people responding with “All Lives Matter.” He used the analogy, “If I say ,‘My father died’ and you respond, ‘Everyone’s parents die,’ that would be hurtful.” To the person whose father has died, that death is the most important thing right then.

The program continued with the reading of 24 names of black men and women killed by white men and a brief address by Hanwell.

After a final prayer for peace and unity, the participants marched around the square, led by Kinney and Ruffin, who linked arms, through the Medina County courthouse parking lot and back to the gazebo before dispersing.

Two more events are scheduled for Sunday (June 7): A “March in Medina -- Say Their Names” protest starting at noon, and a silent vigil at 3 p.m. Both will take place on the square.

Read more from the Medina Sun.

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