Keep buses and trains running for riders, not police purposes
CLEVELAND, OH, November 3, 2020
Community organizers and advocates led by Clevelanders for Public Transit and Black Spring CLE are calling on Amalgamated Transit Union Local 268 and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority leadership to maintain transit service during periods of civil unrest, including if protests should arise following today’s presidential election. The coalition also demands that GCRTA vehicles not be used for police purposes during future protests or civil unrest.
Protesters took to the streets in Cleveland and around the nation to protest following the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd by police. In Cleveland, the aggressive response by police added fuel to the protest, causing the May 30 march to escalate into chaos.
Earlier that day, ATU President William Nix stated via Facebook, “Neither our buses or operators will be co-opted by the police to transport anyone who might be arrested.” However, GCRTA service to and from downtown was halted without warning, even before Mayor Jackson imposed a curfew for downtown Cleveland. While the curfew was in place, GCRTA trains and buses were rerouted around downtown Cleveland, or skipped downtown stops and stations.
The evening of May 30, protesters exercising their First Amendment rights were stranded without warning in the midst of a dangerous situation. In the following days, downtown residents were unable to access groceries and other necessities. Unhoused people were subject to arrest for violating the city’s curfew when they were unable to leave downtown.
As we await the results of today’s presidential election, many anticipate a similar period of civil unrest. CPT and Black Spring CLE are calling on GCRTA and ATU leadership to commit to keeping transit service in operation during periods of protest and unrest, particularly in the wake of the election. Additionally, GCRTA vehicles should not be used for law enforcement purposes such as transporting officers and equipment to areas of unrest or to hold or transport arrested protesters.
Many Clevelanders depend on transit service to access to jobs, groceries, healthcare and other essential destinations, even during moments of civil unrest. Service disruptions particularly burden vulnerable populations, including the elderly, unhoused persons, and people with disabilities, and disproportionately affects BIPOC and low-income people who are more likely to be essential workers who rely on transit. A majority of GCRTA riders are BIPOC (74%) and low-income (50%). These are the people who end up stranded without access to necessities when transit service is suddenly halted.
GCRTA CEO/General Manager India Birdsong and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Floun’say Caver state they have no plans to stop service, but have yet to commit to maintaining service during future civil unrest. There were no announced plans or warnings before service was halted in May. We as Cleveland riders, organizers, and activists refuse to let this happen again.
Signed,
Clevelanders for Public Transit
Black Spring CLE
Black Lives Matter Cleveland
Resist Operation Relentless Pursuit – Operation Legend Cleveland
DSA Cleveland Defund the Police Working Group
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
Party for Socialism and Liberation – NE Ohio
Communist Party of Ohio
Sunrise Movement Cleveland
InterReligious Task Force on Central America and Colombia
Huey P. Newton Gun Club – Alpha Company
National Lawyers Guild of Ohio
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Clevelanders for Public Transit is a riders’ organization that builds power for affordable, accessible and equitable public transit in Northeast Ohio. For more information, visit clefortransit.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Black Spring CLE is a Black led abolitionist organization seeking to re-imagine the definition of public health and safety in Cleveland. For more information, visit blackspringcle.com or find Black Spring CLE on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.