I’m Not Afraid: Families March Through Cincinnati, Demand Justice

CINCINNATI — More than 100 people marched from City Hall to Piatt Park, united by the pain and loss that comes from gun violence and fatal shootings by police.

What You Need To Know

The Ohio Families Cincinnati March saw dozens of supporters march and rally through Downtown Cincinnati

The march was created to open the discussion and support families who have lost loved ones to gun violence or police brutality

Most of the mothers who spoke at the rally lost children to police shootings

The mothers and the group hope their cases can be re-investigated because they feel justice has not been served

Anternitia O’Neal says her son, Dontez, was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer in 2012.

“The police just tried to pull my son over,” she recalls. “As he pulled over, (the officer) just start shooting. He shot my son 14 times. Shot the other guy two times. They failed to basically give my son life support to even try to revive him.”

Dionne Burney of Dayton shares a similar tragedy. Her son, Ke’Sharwn, was also killed by Montgomery County sheriffs at the age of 25.

“I see them gun my son down,” Burney said. “I see a pole crash down on him. Not one officer attempted any first aid or CPR with my son.”

Both mothers believe the police-involved shootings that killed their sons were unjustifiable and should be re-investigated.

O’Neal says the officer who shot her son belongs behind bars.

Dionne Burney speaks at the march.

“Yeah, I want him off the force,” O’Neal said. “Not even just off the force. If anyone commits a crime—a murder—they go to prison.”

Burney says the march not only gives her hope, but it also connects her with those who truly understand her pain.

“I have people that share a common bond that I can talk to. We’re just able to talk and share our stories,” Burney said. “We’re all connected by the blood that our children have shed.”

Both mothers say they’re not gaining traction with the prosecutor’s offices in their respective cities. But the march through Cincinnati gives them the motivation they need to keep pushing for justice.

“I care about getting justice and accountability for my son,” O’Neal said.

Anternitia O’Neal speaks at the march.

“I’m not going to stop in this quest for justice,” Burney said. “I’m not stopping. I’m not afraid.”

The march follows days of protests after a Kentucky grand jury announced charges in Breonna Taylor’s case. Taylor, 26, was fatally shot and killed after police entered her apartment back in March.

One of the three officers involved in her death was charged with wanton endangerment, but the charge doesn’t directly relate to her death. The charge was for the shots fired into the neighboring apartment, and not the shots that killed Taylor.

Not only did people march in Cincinnati Friday night, but a vigil was also held in Columbus and protests persisted in Louisville—the heart of Taylor’s case.