Thread by @Tylerjoelb

Columbus City Council is meeting now. I'll be posting updates, videos, etc. in this thread.

Council President Shannon G. Hardin, who was pepper sprayed during the protest, began by highlighting the importance of protests in Columbus. He's called for a Civilian Review Commission to investigate police use of force.

Columbus @MayorGinther addressed Council briefly. Not much to highlight, but he did reiterate the new email people can send police use of force evidence to: [e-mail]

Columbus PD Chief Thomas Quinlan: "The people who are responsible for the destruction...are organized, funded, and they have an agenda that does not help forward progress in ending racism."

That really stands out to me. What evidence does he have that these people are "funded"?

Chief Quinlan said the above in differentiating between the peaceful protesters and those causing property damage, targeting police, etc.

The chief is claiming, without presenting evidence, that these people are organized, funded & connected to those acting out in other cities.

Council Pres. Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown asking Quinlan about reviews of police use of force; if they are found to have been within dept. policy, can there be a review of the policy?

Chief, in short: yes, we will review specific actions and the broader tactics used by CPD

Council Members Mitchell Brown and Rob Dorans are sharing concerns about law enforcement's approach to downtown Columbus.

"Downtown Columbus is a neighborhood ... it should be treated as such."

Chief Quinlan defends withholding police identification on their badges, etc. -- claims "anarchists" are using last name information in real time to find/travel to officers' homes to target their families.

I can only speak for my experiences covering the protests, but I witnessed probably 2-dozen instances of people attempting to read badge info + asking cops for their info. Never once saw people writing names down, looking up their addresses, etc. Quite a claim.

In another Q&A, Councilman Dorans shared fears from downtown residents afraid to leave town b/c of seeing police in riot gear on roadways.

Chief likens this weekend's response to when the police handles traffic control during road races and public events. Uhhhh...

Council member Emmanuel Remy offers support for Council Pres Shannon G. Hardin and the calls to action toward reforming local policing:

Council member Priscilla Tyson offers her perspective:

Two days ago, Council President Shannon G. Hardin was pepper sprayed by the Columbus Police Department while protesting.

Today he leads a Council discussion about those protests & offers respect to that same police department's chief in working together for racial justice.

Council is now discussing a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. Franklin County had a similar resolution in May.

You can read the Columbus resolution here:

columbus.gov/racismresoluti…

.@OSUPrezDrake is speaking now on the resolution. He tells of teaching a course on civil rights.

There is a petition circulating from OSU students to have the university end its contracts with the Columbus Police Department: osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Z…

WATCH: @OSUPrezDrake, who leads one of the largest universities in U.S., details his own experience w/racism.

"If I walk down the street in a baseball cap & a pair of sunglasses, I'm treated entirely differently than I'm treated if I have on a suit & tie & people know who I am."