Much of the nation Thursday night was watching the NBA Finals and LeBron James, whom President Obama applauded last December for wearing an Eric Garner-inspired “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt. The phrase was to be seen on shirts and signs everywhere, and tonight, two men attending an anti-violence town hall meeting in Cincinnati brought along a “We Can’t Breathe” banner to hang behind the police chief.
Packed house at church in Roselawn for chief's town hall on cutting violence. Public speaking expected soon. pic.twitter.com/RXrYq7EvFM
— Ben Katko (@WSAVBenK) June 4, 2015
Two guys with an "We can't breathe" banner have shown up to Chief Blackwell's anti- violence town hall. pic.twitter.com/6cPtYePFFl
— Ben Katko (@WSAVBenK) June 4, 2015
It’s unclear why one of the two men was removed from the meeting, but his repeated cry of “I can’t breathe!” didn’t fly in front of hundreds of witnesses who applauded as he was led outside.
Police escorting one guy with the "we can't breathe" sign out of the gym. Blackwell stopped speech for a few minutes. pic.twitter.com/zRNmclAFkC
— Ben Katko (@WSAVBenK) June 4, 2015
We’re pretty sure this was planned before the stunt.
Just talked to @ChiefBlackwell as meeting wrapped up. Said more officers will be on streets next week & will come from all over the dept.
— Ben Katko (@WSAVBenK) June 5, 2015
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