Protestors demand change after controversial Dayton traffic stop involving man with disability

DAYTON — Protestors gathered outside of the City of Dayton Safety Building Sunday afternoon to voice their concerns and demand change in the wake of the Dayton police traffic stop involving a man with a disability.

Bishop Richard Cox, with Parenthood Ministries, told News Center 7 that the incident involving Dayton officers and Clifford Owensby was concerning because it was “not the first time police have mistreated and abused a disabled person.”

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“We’re here to send a message to the police, to the city commission, to the mayor and the city managers, to let them know enough is enough,” Cox said.

Cox said he, as a disabled man himself, wanted to be present to help bring justice for Owensby.

Video from the traffic stop, which happened Sept. 30 on the 1900 block of W. Grand Avenue, received national and international attention. The video showed officers forcibly remove Owensby, who told officers he was disabled, from his vehicle.

Protestors demanded that city officials take action to update and immediately implement changes to the Dayton Police Department’s use of force policies.

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Those gathered Sunday want DPD to be transparent in their investigation and findings with the incident. As News Center 7 previously reported, Dayton police said their internal investigation was ongoing. Police promised transparency in the investigation.

Cox said change needs to happen now.

“If they can do this and get away with it, what will they do in the future?” Cox added.

The Dayton Fraternal Order of Police previously released a statement in defense of the officers involved, saying they “followed the law, their training and departmental policies and procedures.”

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