Kyle and I attended today’s protest in Columbus and here are two distinctly different videos that I captured that exemplify what happens when police show up to a peaceful protest. 1/8

2/8

3/8

In the first video, I felt solidarity with hundreds of people gathering for a singular cause. People chanting George Floyd’s name and reminding those watching that BLACK LIVES MATTER. 4/8

Then the police arrived and dawned their riot gear unnecessarily. They approached the crowd while other people pointed out what appeared to be a sniper on top of the Riffe Center and a SWAT vehicle showed up. 5/8

Then the pepper spray and tear gas began. Not just once but multiple times over a crowd of people who did nothing but continue to chant their pleas. The crowd began to clear as everyone, including myself, felt the gassy sting in our eyes and throat. But we stayed. 6/8

We stayed back as the crowd made their way onto Broad Street and planted themselves, again, peacefully. That’s when you received your “emergency” alert. 7/8

I saw no emergency. I saw no violence from protesters. I saw no rioting. I saw what YOU wanted, a peaceful protest, and you still aren’t listening. 8/8