AKRON, Ohio — The Freedom Bloc, a group that's outspoken in protesting the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker in June, will host a week of activities to underscore the organization’s demands of justice for Walker.

The group said the Justice for Jayland Week of Action will include political education, demonstrations and leadership development.

What You Need To Know

  • The Freedom Bloc will host Justice for Jayland Walker Week of Action from August 21 through August 28

  • Activities will include political education, demonstrations and leadership development

  • Freedom Bloc is gathering signatures to have the creation of a civilian review board put on Akron ballots for the November election

  • A Justice for Jayland Walker petition supports 12 demands made of the city by Freedom Bloc and two other groups

Walker was killed by police on June 27 after the 25-year-old Black man led officers on a chase, and shot at officers in pursuit, police said. After exiting his still-moving vehicle in a parking lot, Walker was fired upon by eight officers and killed by multiple rounds. The shooting is under investigation by the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Freedom Bloc has hosted several rallies in downtown Akron, and issued a list of 12 demands in partnership with Serve the People Akron and Akron Democratic Socialists of America.

Among the groups’ demands are prosecution of the police involved, release of all protesters held in jails, termination of police chases for traffic offenses and elimination of pepper spray, rubber bullets and tear gas.

Freedom Bloc is also gathering signatures to put a charter amendment before Akron voters in November that would create a civilian review board for Akron police. A review board is among the groups’ 12 demands.

Freedom Bloc is expected to announce Monday that the group has collected enough signatures to put the issue on Akron ballots for the midterm election in November. The group wants the review board created through a charter amendment, not an ordinance approved by Akron City Council.

Akron’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Task Force also recommended such a board be created through charter amendment.

Created by the city in 2001 after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the task force recently issued a statement saying for a civilian review board to be truly independent, it should not be under the mayor’s control, which isn’t possible if the board is created by city ordinance.

To successfully put the issue before voters, Freedom Bloc needs 2,678 valid signatures. That represents 10% of the number of ballots cast in the most recent general municipal election, which was November 2019. The Board of Elections then validates the signatures, the BOE said.

The following is the schedule for the Justice for Jayland Week of Action:

  • Sunday, August 21 -- Meet and greet,  8 Point Bistro, 1912 Buchholzer Blvd. in Akron, 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, August 22 -- The Power of Black Women (Happy hour) -- 8 Point Bistro, 1912 Buchholzer Blvd. in Akron, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 23 -- Texting Taco & Tequila Tuesday -- The Freedom BLOC office, 848 W. Exchange St. in Akron, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 24 -- Justice For Jayland Walker Day -- Drop off Demand Justice for Jayland Walker and Akron Civilian Review Board petition, noon to 1:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 24 -- Cocktail Hour/Mixer -- Baxter’s Speakeasy, 20 N. High St. in Akron, 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 25 -- Housing Public Meeting -- Mayflower Lobby, 263 S Main St. in Akron, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, August 26 -- Video Game + Cannabis Justice Day -- 8 Point Bistro, 1912 Buchholzer Blvd. in Akron, 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 27 -- Joy in the Park -- Joy Park, 825 James Ingram Way in Akron, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 28 -- March on Akron -- Meet at Erie Island Park, 1532 Peckham St. in Akron, 3:30 p.m.

Check the Week of Action website for updates or send an email.

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