Ohio Politicians Pepper Sprayed During Protests

COLUMBUS, OH — Congresswoman Joyce Beatty was pepper sprayed during protests and riots in Columbus on Saturday. Beatty said she was trying to de-escalate tension between police and protesters.

Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin was also pepper sprayed during the scrum. He said he and Beatty are OK, on social media, and encouraged police and protesters to maintain or reclaim their calm.

Beatty posted photos of herself at the protest, on social media. The posts were accompanied by a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. and advocated nonviolence during the protests.

Protests and riots have broken out across the U.S. and throughout Ohio following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Gov. Mike DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard on Saturday to aid law enforcement in stopping the mass vandalism and destruction of property that has swept through Cleveland and Columbus.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther implemented a curfew in Columbus on Saturday and Cleveland police have asked Northeast Ohioans to avoid downtown Cleveland.