George Floyd: Protesters in Cincinnati make their way to the center of I-75

CINCINNATI — UPDATE @ 9:58 p.m.: People in Cincinnati who are protesting the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd have taken their demonstration to I-75 tonight.

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Hundreds marched from the Hamilton County courthouse to Washington Park to the center of Interstate 75, according to our news partner WCPO.com.

Their presence shut down traffic for nearly 45 minutes.

WCPO posted live photos of the protesters on the highway here.

There are no reports of injuries. We will update this developing report as we learn more.

UPDATE @ 3:20 p.m.:

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the death of George Floyd “horrific”, and expressed regret in not addressing the issue during his COVID-19 briefing yesterday.

“(Floyd’s) death impact us all. We have a responsibility to each other, regardless of race, to stand up and say we won’t tolerate this conduct,” he said.

“I hear the voices of frustration. I receive those words and emotions with empathy and commitment to see solutions and justice,” DeWine said.

DeWine urged protesters to do so peacefully, saying protests expressing anger are understandable, but said violence should not be fought by using more violence.

“Protests expressing outrage are not only understandable, but they are appropriate. Ohioans should speak out against wrong-doing ... Ohioans should speak out in unity to end injustice,” DeWine said.

During protests Thursday night into Friday, damage was done to the statehouse, including multiple window pains and doors. DeWine said he did not yet have an estimate of the cost of the damages.

UPDATE @ 1:35 p.m. (May 29):

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will hold a media availability Friday starting at 2:30 p.m. to address the protests that resulted in damage to the Ohio Statehouse and other parts of downtown Columbus Thursday night and into Friday morning.

Protests erupted in the capital city Thursday night in reaction to the death of George Floyd, the man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis earlier this week.

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Protesters attempted to breach the doors of the statehouse and caused damage to nearly 30 window pains, doors, pole lamps, flags and flower beds, according to a report by our news partners WBNS-TV in Columbus.

[PHOTOS: Protests over George Floyd death erupt in several U.S. cities]

We will continue to update this story with the latest as it becomes available.

PREVIOUS REPORT:

At least one arrest is being reported by Columbus media covering protests that erupted Thursday night in reaction to the death of George Floyd, who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Protesters in Columbus reportedly refused to vacate the road at Broad and High streets downtown, our news partner, 10tv.com WBNS and other Columbus media are reporting, and some protesters had thrown full plastic bottles of water smoke bombs and other items at police.

At least one protester reached around and threw a punch at an officer,

There also were reports of protesters breaking windows at the Statehouse and police using pepper spray to break up a group of people in the streets, 10tv.com WBNS, reported.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther took to Twitter to address the demonstrations:

EARLIER REPORT (May 28)

Hundreds of protesters are in downtown Columbus to protest the death of George Floyd, who was killed at the hands of Minneapolis police.

[PHOTOS: Protests over George Floyd death erupt in several U.S. cities]

Our news partner, 10tv.com WBNS in Columbus, is reporting that Columbus police have blocked North High Street at Broad Street downtown to stop the protests from marching any farther.

WARNING: Violence and profanity likely in the following livestream.

[Shots fired during Denver protest of George Floyd]

It is unknown if there have been any injuries or arrests made.

We will update this developing report as we learn more.

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