Police Pepper Spray Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, City Councillor, Others During Protest

By Ed Scarce — May 31, 2020

Apparently, the 70-year-old congresswoman was considered enough of a threat to warrant being pepper-sprayed by a couple of Columbus' finest, or not-so-finest.

Source: NBC4, Columbus

Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin says he, Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty were sprayed with mace or pepper spray during a protest in downtown Columbus Saturday morning.

Council President Hardin tweeted a video with Rep. Beatty saying that they are okay, and called on people on both sides of the protest to remain calm.

A spokesperson for Rep. Beatty told NBC4 that while the protest was underway, someone started scuffling with police. Police took that person down, which made other protesters angry. Beatty stepped in to try and calm the situation when police started spraying. Hardin and Boyce pulled Beatty out of the fray.

“We understand that tensions are high. Our tensions are high as well. We are angry, and we need change. But the only way we will get change is by peaceful demonstrations,” said Hardin.

“While it was peaceful, there were times where people got off the curb, into the street, said Beatty. “Too much force is not the answer this.”

A source provided this video to @ColleenNBC4 showing the incident that resulted in Rep. Joyce Beatty, City Council President Shannon Hardin and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce getting pepper sprayed Saturday morning. https://t.co/ogqPrajniZ pic.twitter.com/19f1xbC53m

— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) May 30, 2020

Need to see that in slower motion?

Here is a 38 photo sequence of what happen this morning with Joyce Beatty, Shannon Hardin, Kevin Boyce, protesters and Columbus Police. pic.twitter.com/ZZEd6MfJCh

— Kyle Robertson (@KRobPhoto) May 30, 2020

Just want to let folks know that when @RepBeatty @VoteBoyce and I were down at the protest we did get sprayed with mace or pepper spray. We are all ok, and we want to encourage folks, both police and protestors, to stay calm. pic.twitter.com/RDQ1p4YDRY

— Shannon Hardin (@SG_Hardin) May 30, 2020

And the cop? He's got a history...

Hi. The police officer pepper spraying a man in this picture is Sergeant David Gitlitz.
He attended Bexley High School and graduated in the same class as me.
He has been involved in TWO police killings of citizens. pic.twitter.com/yNwsLvJEk8

— Cheese Mom (@Cheesemaman) May 30, 2020

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