While it is under investigation, his death has sparked calls for police accountability in a city that has felt the weight of racial inequality for generations. Gutson, 23, was shot and killed by a 17-year-old senior at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, identified as Deputy Jason Mead. Family lawyer Sean Walton told CNN that Gutson had not been charged with any crime, had no criminal record and was not the target of any investigation. Reviewing court records has shown no more than minor, traffic-related offenses. Mayor and residents believe Goodson’s death highlights formal racism in law enforcement in Columbus and other communities. “Casey’s case continues to work and racism is everywhere, and as a nation we must work hard to differentiate it,” said Columbus City Councilman Shannon Hardin. “Racism is a part of this country, a part of our cities and a part of who we are. We can not allow further challenges, no matter how far we are immersed in where we are going from here.” Black people living in the capital, Ohio, still feel the effects of redemption for decades – the refusal of banks to provide mortgage loans to poor and minority communities – and their relationship with law enforcement has long deteriorated. These inequalities became even more central this year as protests against racism and police violence erupted after the outbreak of the Govt-19 epidemic and the assassinations of George Floyd and Prona Taylor. Columbus City Council and Franklin County passed resolutions calling racism a public health crisis. In the resolutions, the authorities acknowledged the inequalities of color face in health, poverty, economic mobility, education, crime and access to food, and promised to address them. But activists say the resolutions have done little to alleviate racial tensions. Hana Abdur-Rahim, an activist and co-founder of the Ohio Black Eradication Coalition, said city officials wanted to “pacify” the black community after widespread Black Lives Matter protests. “Columbus, Ohio is not a safe place for black citizens because we are constantly being targeted (by the police),” Abdur-Rahim said. He also said city officials should find alternative ways to patrol the community in view of the abolition of the existing police department. In summer, during the demonstrations, protesters and police clashed in Columbus, police were firing rubber bullets and pepper spray at. Some protesters were injured and arrested. Joyce Beatty and Hardin, representatives of a black congressional Democrat from Ohio, briefly spoke out against Floyd’s death with a “mess or pepper spray” in Columbus. Abdur-Rahim said his body was hit by rubber bullets and still had scars. “They brutally attacked us and attacked us,” Abdur-Rahim said. Since the demonstrations, a series of police reform voting processes have been passed, including the creation of a new Citizen Police Oversight Board. Filming last week was the latest in a series featuring young black men and teenagers in a city of nearly 900,000 people. Julius Tate, one of the black men killed by Columbus police in recent years, during a sting operation on December 16, 2018; Kareem Ali Nadir Jones, 30, in July 2017; Tire King, 13, September 2016; And Henry Green, 23, 2016 June. The Columbus-based People’s Justice Project described the black community’s relationship with law enforcement as “hostile”, saying residents did not trust law enforcement and were often afraid to call 911. “People know there is a truth that you may have been killed,” Sundiyata said. For Rodney Revisch, a 41-year-old black man living in Columbus, Gutson’s death shows that last summer nationwide protests fell on deaf ears with law enforcement. “The black community in Columbus and the black community as a whole have a simple plea that is not a difficult one: stop shooting us,” Revish said. The community, he says, wants more black officers to patrol their neighborhoods because they are being targeted by the police and police unjustly. But some black officers have recently said they too are fighting police misconduct. Last month, Columbus City Council voted to pay a $ 475,000 settlement to a black police officer. He retaliated for reporting racism and other abuse by a superior. Carl Shaw is not the only one in the Ohio capital to have experienced such treatment. Mayor Andrew Ginder, through his spokesman, called the racist department “legitimate” and accused three officials, including Shaw’s old partner, of facing death threats – and filing discrimination cases against the department. “Black police officers who pledge to protect the lives and liberties of their communities are often disabled, voiceless, submissive and marginalized if they speak their truth boldly,” Councilor Sheila Favor said last month. “It is a tragedy for our city. It is our duty to create a safe haven for every resident who seeks justice and reform. ” Black people say the history of segregation and consolidation is boiling. Columbus is the fourth most economically segregated metro area in the country. If you & # 39; ve never wanted to deal with anyone else’s (ethnic) experience, people should not come here, “Harper said.” People should be comfortable with that. Rars. ”Some neighborhoods, including Sundiyada, the executive director of the People’s Justice Project, once inhabited and welcomed black people, have been replaced by expensive apartments, restaurants, bars and bike shops. It seems to cater to white residents. The city’s southside and linden neighborhoods are also slowly being softened, Suntiatta said. “These are not places where we (black people) really want to attend, have dinner or go shopping,” Sundiyatta said. “Culture has changed.” City Council President Hardin said the history of red in Columbus still haunts black communities today. The figures, Hardin says, have a significant overlay when compared to the 1936 “redesigning” map of Columbus showing maps of current infant mortality, violent crime and food deserts. “The policies of our ancestors are directly related to the challenges facing the neighborhood in Columbus today,” he said. “I use this to remind people and to deliberately address my congregation members and anyone who wants to come and meet me, to address racism,” Hardin added. Correction: An earlier version of this story had the family names of Casey Goodson and Carl Shaw incorrect. CNN’s Priya Krishnakumar contributed to the report. .
Source