Cincinnati riots of 2001 facts for kids
The 2001 Cincinnati civil unrest was a series of difficult events that happened in Cincinnati, Ohio in April 2001. These events, sometimes called civil disturbances, took place mostly in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and downtown Cincinnati. They started with a peaceful protest on Fountain Square. This protest was about how the police handled the shooting of Timothy Thomas. The peaceful protest soon turned into a march towards the victim's home neighborhood.
Quick facts for kids 2001 Cincinnati civil unrest |
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| Date | April 9–13, 2001 | ||
| Location |
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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| Caused by | Shooting of Timothy Thomas | ||
| Methods | Protests and acts of civil unrest, vandalism and looting in Over-the-Rhine, downtown, Walnut Hills, Bond Hill, and Avondale. | ||
| Resulted in | an estimated $3.6 million in damage; an estimated loss of $10 million due to the subsequent boycott; reform of police procedures concerning racial profiling | ||
| Parties to the civil conflict | |||
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| Casualties | |||
| Injuries | 4+ | ||
| Arrested | 158 in civil disobedience, 800 for curfew violations. | ||
Contents
What Caused the Cincinnati Unrest?
The unrest began after a 19-year-old African American man named Timothy Thomas was shot. He was not carrying a weapon. A Cincinnati Police Department officer, Stephen Roach, shot him while trying to arrest him. Thomas was wanted for minor offenses, mostly traffic tickets.
Rising Tensions in the City
Before this event, feelings in Cincinnati were already tense. There had been other incidents involving the police. Some people felt that police were treating certain groups unfairly. This included concerns about racial profiling, where people are stopped or treated differently because of their race.
There had also been several deaths involving police. The shooting of Timothy Thomas was the thirteenth such death since 1995. These past events made the community very upset. People wanted to see changes in how the police operated.
How Did the Protests Unfold?
After Timothy Thomas was shot, protests quickly started. Many people gathered to express their anger and sadness. They wanted justice and changes in police behavior.
From Peaceful Protests to Unrest
The initial protests were peaceful gatherings. However, over four nights, some of these protests turned into unrest. There were reports of property damage in different parts of Cincinnati. Some people threw objects at police officers.
Businesses in areas like Over-the-Rhine and downtown saw vandalism. This means property was damaged on purpose. There was also looting, which is stealing from stores during a disturbance.
City-Wide Curfew
To stop the unrest, the city put a curfew in place. A curfew means people are not allowed to be outside during certain hours. This rule helped to bring the unrest to an end. The curfew helped restore order in the city.
What Were the Results of the Unrest?
The events of April 2001 had a big impact on Cincinnati. There was a lot of damage to businesses and the city. There were also efforts to make positive changes.
Damage and Economic Impact
The unrest caused a lot of damage. It was estimated that businesses suffered about $3.6 million in damage. The city itself also had damages, costing between $1.5 million and $2 million.
After the unrest, some community groups organized a boycott. A boycott means people refuse to buy from certain businesses. This boycott targeted downtown businesses. It was estimated to have cost the area about $10 million.
Efforts for Change
Following the unrest, the city worked with community leaders. They also worked with the police department. The goal was to improve police training and policies. These changes aimed to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The city wanted to build better trust between the police and the community. They focused on making sure everyone was treated fairly. This included looking at how police interact with different racial groups.
