America’s first “wake up call” of the 21st century

The Aftermath of 2001 Cincinnati riot was a “woke” nightmare

A makeshift memorial is placed in the the alleyway, where Timothy Thomas was allegedly shot by Cincinnati Police Officer Stephen Roach, September 17, 2001 in Cincinnati, OH. Roach is on trial on misdemeanor charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of official business in the shooting death of Thomas. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images)

At 2 am, on April 7, 2001, Timothy Thomas, a 19-year-old black man, ran from two Cincinnati police officers that tried to apprehend him. Thomas had 14 warrants for traffic violations and for evading arrest. The two police officers radioed for assistance. A third officer joined the pursuit, cornered Thomas in an alley, but the 19-year-old reached for his waistband (According to the officer) and was fatally shot in the chest.

Timothy Thomas was unarmed.

Protesters took to the streets with signs that said: Stop Killing Us. Since 1995 the Cincinnati police killed 14 black men and Timothy Thomas was the latest. “15 black men” became the protesters rallying cry. Local black officials accused the Cincinnati police department of gunning down black men for sport and suggested what happened to Timothy Thomas was another racist execution.

The situation quickly turned into the largest civil disturbance since the 1992 Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. Those that believed rioting was the language of the unheard, therefore, a justifiable response to white racism, announced that the rioting in Cincinnati was America’s first “wake up call” of the 21st century. The mainstream media automatically…