Protest march over police-involved shootings underway in Columbia

A group of people held a protest Thursday afternoon in connection with recent deadly police-involved shootings in Louisiana and We are hearing reports that there is a march happening in downtown Columbia on Ninth Street.

Cafe Berlin, a popular restaurant in downtown Columbia, closed its doors in protest of the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, both of whom died after being shot by police officers.

Sterling died early in the morning of July 5. Police responding to a call about a man with a gun got into a fight with Sterling, and while holding him to the ground, shot Sterling several times. There are unconfirmed reports Sterling did have a gun, but it’s not clear if he was reaching for it, as someone at the scene yelled right before the shooting.

Castile was shot during a traffic stop on July 6. Police pulled his girlfriend’s car over for a broken taillight; she claims Castile told the officer he had a concealed weapon permit, and was reaching for his wallet when the officer shot him. Castile’s girlfriend then broadcast the aftermath, including Castile covered in blood, on Facebook Live.

The Justice Department has started an investigation into the Sterling shooting. State leaders in Minnesota have asked the department to investigate the Castile shooting as well.

Executive Director of the Columbia Police Officer’s Association says, “Officers everywhere are nervous about what could happen to them on a daily basis.”