BETHEL, Clermont County — At least three arrests have been made this evening during demonstrations in this village for Black Lives Matter in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
Monday night’s arrests, two for disorderly conduct and one for public drunkenness, Bethel Police Chief Steve Teague told our news partners at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, and a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew ordered by village Mayor Jay Dee Noble II, follow demonstrations in the village Sunday where shouting, pushing and shoving erupted.
One of the arrests was a Black Lives Matter protester, another was a counter-protester, the chief said. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office made the arrests.
The curfew is “continuing from day to day until rescinded,” the mayoral order reads. “The need for this order arises from the threat of continued and escalating violence, the need for security and enforcement support” for the police department" and the need to protect the village’s first responders from the spread of COVID-19.”
Opposing advocacy groups gathered in downtown Bethel and subsequently clashed Sunday afternoon, resulting in what village officials described as “minor scuffles,” WCPO reported.
Police said they were notified by a group called Bethel's Solidarity with Black Lives Demonstration of the group's intent to peacefully protest in Bethel Sunday afternoon. Police said the group worked with the police department to coordinate the protest, and it was planned that they would be allowed to demonstrate on Plane Street between Main and Union.
In a statement sent by Chief Teague, Village Administrator Travis Dotson and Noble, officials said the initial estimated number of demonstrators was supposed to be 80 to 100. Police said after the group’s event circulated on social media, other groups, including “several motorcycle gangs, back the blue groups and second amendment advocates” began to arrive as well.
"Two booths were set up on either side of Plane Street as a staging area for the police officers," according to the statement.
“The Bethel Police Department had all six of its officers on duty and stationed around the demonstration area. Six Clermont County deputies were also scheduled to attend as needed. However, at the last minute, most of the deputies were called to respond to another urgent matter in the county and only one deputy was initially able to assist with the demonstration. Nine additional deputies were dispatched and subsequently arrived to assist.”
Officials said an hour before Sunday's scheduled peaceful demonstration, an estimated 250 motorcycles arrived and occupied the area reserved for demonstrators and that forced officers to move the Bethel's Solidarity with Black Lives Demonstration.
"By the official start time of the event, there were approximately 750 to 800 people in attendance," the chief and the other city officials said in the statement.
Toward the end of Sunday's peaceful demonstration, police said, the "various other groups" began to move toward the location the Bethel's Solidarity with Black Lives Demonstration had been moved to by police.
From there, police said, there were "approximately 10 incidents, which were primarily minor scuffles."
Video and photos posted to social media or shown on Facebook Live showed many demonstrators being punched, or sporting black eyes and other injuries they alleged happened during the event. Police said those involved in incidents were removed, and investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
Bethel police said they encourage anyone with information on the identities of suspects or victims involved to contact their department.
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