Freedom BLOC's Week of Action to offer voting, political education after Jayland Walker shooting

Anthony Thompson, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
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The shooting death of Jayland Walker by Akron police in June prompted protests in not only Akron but the nation at large. Walker's shooting, which came two years after George Floyd's death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, has again brought discussions of race relations to the forefront and put communities at odds.

One local organization, The Freedom BLOC (Black Led Organizing Collaborative), hopes to restore community engagement and foster relationships between community members. The group has put together a Justice for Jayland Week of Action with a goal of political and voting education, along with accountability from the Akron police for their role in Walker's death.

The week of events began Sunday with a meet-and-greet. It continues Monday with a discussion on the power of Black women.

Raymond Green Jr., executive director of The Freedom BLOC, talks with protesters on July 4 after marching along Howard Street in Akron.
Raymond Green Jr., executive director of The Freedom BLOC, talks with protesters on July 4 after marching along Howard Street in Akron.

"These two events will allow individuals to not only get to meet us and our partners for this week of action, but to engage with each other as well," Esther Ngemba, The Freedom BLOC's director of communication, said last week. "The meet-and-greet will also feature civil obedience training for how to handle interaction with the police, which is something that we are excited about."

Monday's "The Power of Black Women," scheduled for 5 p.m. at 8 Point Bistro in Akron, will discuss the inequities and discrimination Black women often face within social movements against police brutality and other issues facing the Black community. Black men and allies are welcome to attend, with the majority of the discussion being led by the Black women in attendance, officials said.

Petitions signed by the Akron community seeking police transparency will be delivered to the police department as part of Wednesday's Justice for Jayland Walker Day, which begins at noon at Grant and Wheeler streets. A Color of Change petition has collected 58,000 signatures so far, according to officials.

The group's event on Thursday includes a video game tournament and marijuana reform education. The tournament, which begins at 5 p.m., features a cash prize for the winner. There is no fee or age restriction for the event, which is also at 8 Point Bistro.

"We wanted to mix fun with education, and having something as exciting as a video game contest helps us achieve this," Ngemba said.

A Joy in the Park celebration, taking place in East Akron's Joy Park at 4 p.m. Saturday, will feature music and poetry from the Ohio Families Unite Against Police Brutality organization, as well as local Akron artists.

The final day, Sunday, will be a March on Akron, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Erie Island Park, at 1532 Peckham St.

For more information about The Freedom BLOC or to volunteer, go to its website, thefreedombloc.org, or social media channels on Twitter (@thefreedomBLOC) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheFreedomBLOC/).

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AThompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron's Freedom BLOC to hold Justice for Jayland: Week of Action