Black city leaders address growing racial tension in Warehouse District

CLEVELAND - City leaders held a press conference Thursday afternoon to discuss the growing racial tension in Cleveland’s Warehouse District on West 6th Street.

The news conference was in response to a recent incident in the area where a pair of black bankers said they were beaten and arrested by an off-duty police officer, serving as a bouncer at one of the district’s bars.

Councilman Zach Reed said if something doesn’t change, the district will go the way of the once-thriving Flats. He is also calling for Mayor Frank Jackson to bring in the owners of the local bars and demand that they adjust their strategies to prevent future incidents.

The news conference was held in front of the Velvet Dog, which was where the incident occurred on Aug. 21.

On that night, the two Morehouse College graduates were arrested, and one said he was beaten by the off-duty officer. According to their attorney, one of the men recorded the incident on his phone, but the officer took his phone and erased the file. Neither man was at the news conference Thursday.

“[Law enforcement officers] need to understand that these are young people that are not trying to commit crimes, Councilman Jeff Johnson said.

The popular bar district is the center of growing controversy, as local black leaders say the increased police presence is targeting the young black patrons.

Bill Patmon, a former city councilman and black man, said he visited the district in plain clothes one night. During that visit, Patton claims that he was denied entrance into a club until he removed a hat. Once he entered, Patton says a number of patrons were wearing hats, but they were all white.