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Cincinnati records few confrontations after police-shooting funeral

Sonntag, 15. April 2001 / 08:32 Uhr

Cincinnati - A third night under curfew began peacefully Saturday in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a funeral was held for an unarmed black man shot by a white police officer.

Timothy Thomas' death one week before had sparked three nights of rioting in the central U.S. city of 300,000, but an 8 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew has restored calm. However, Cincinnati remained tense. On Saturday, there were several standoffs between protesters and police, including a march held after Thomas' funeral in which protesters heading toward police headquarters were stopped by a police blockade and officers with drawn shotguns.

Three women were also injured by police who shot bean bags at them. Earlier, the city had heard pleas for peace and reconciliation at the 19-year-old's funeral. "Words cannot express my sorrow," Mayor Charlie Luken said. "I repeat today my apology to you and your family and hope I can today be a catalyst for a new Cincinnati - a new Cincinnati that seriously embraces justice." Thomas, who was wanted on 14 misdemeanour charges, was the fourth black man fatal shot by police since November and the 15th since 1995, a time period during which no whites were shot. Luken said an end to racism "is a long way from reality here", but pledged Cincinnati "will be better one day".

And Ohio Governor Bob Taft added: "I pray today will be the beginning of the healing process. About 350 people were arrested for curfew violations Thursday and Friday. (dpa)