Teenager's Funeral Under Way
Cincinnati Police To Keep Low Profile
The scene outside the New Prospect Baptist Church is described as peaceful and respectful, shortly before the scheduled start time of Timothy Thomas' funeral.
About 30 local civil rights activists stood outside the
church wearing yellow jackets with "NAACP" on the back. They will act as a volunteer security force.
WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Tony Gnau reported that the Nation of Islam would also provide security.
Gnau said that between 2,000 and 3,000 people were expected outside the church, which seats 500 people. Loudspeakers were set up outside the church Saturday morning so that people could hear the service.
Cincinnati police chief Thomas Streicher Jr. said Saturday that no officers will be in the immediate vicinity of New Prospect Baptist Church in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood during the funeral.
The visitation began at 11:30 a.m., with a 1:30 p.m. service to
follow.
On the second night of the city's dusk-to-dawn curfew, 218 people were arrested after a week of anger and violence resulting from the shooting of Thomas, 19, who was running away when a police officer shot him.
WLWT Eyewitness News 5 and ChannelCincinnati.com are following the day's events. Keep refreshing this page for updates.
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