Protests have risen in the wake of killings of American citizens by police across America in the last few months of 2014, and the small town of Beavercreek is not untouched by civil unrest.
Benjamin Virnston, senior English and Biological Sciences double major and former writer for The Guardian, was arrested on Dec. 20 during a protest in honor of John Crawford III, who was fatally shot after police officers responded to a call claiming that Crawford was waving a gun around the Beavercreek Wal-Mart on Aug. 5, 2014.
The protest, according to Virnston, was a “peaceful demonstration” in the pet food aisle of the Beavercreek Wal-Mart, where Crawford was shot. Once gathered, Wal-Mart employees asked the demonstrators to clear the aisles, but the protesters then began their demonstration, including song and chant, as well as a “die-in,” in which demonstrators would lie on the ground in a moment of silence for Crawford while a reverend said words in his honor.
In addition to honoring Crawford, the demonstration was aimed at police as well.
“In addition to showing support for Crawford’s family,” said Virnston, “we were also there to demand justice and police accountability in response to the grand jury decision not to indict officer Sean Williams despite overwhelming evidence of misconduct or at least incompetence.”
Once the police arrived and demanded the demonstrators vacate the building, which, according to Virnston, they complied peacefully. While still chanting and singing, the protest moved from inside the Beavercreek Wal-Mart to its parking lot, where police continued to attempt to disperse the crowd by approaching them in vehicles with sirens blaring and ordering the demonstrators to leave.
Virnston, feeling that the presence of the police was unnecessary at a peaceful protest, sat down between the police cruisers and the group of demonstrators in an attempt to block their advance. As the tension escalated between Virnston and the police, Virnston’s friend and fellow activist, Matt Raska, joined him. Both were arrested, with Virnston facing charges of trespassing and obstructing official business.
“In a show of nonviolent disobedience, I went completely limp and refused to participate in my own arrest,” said Virnston, “As a result, I was dragged by my handcuffs across the parking to the police SUV, which left bruises and cuts on my wrists.”
The Dayton Chapter of Cop Block, a “decentralized network of police accountability activists” posted bail for Virnston and Raska. Although Virnston is a WSU student and is provided a legal representative by the university, he started a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign in hopes of affording an attorney experienced in civil disobedience cases.
When asked whether or not he regrets his actions, Virnston said that he feels confident that he has “done the right thing,” and that he places heavy weight on the encouragement of his friends.
“Whenever I start to doubt that I made a difference or fear the consequences of my actions,” said Virnston, “someone new will reach out to me in solidarity with encouragement and well wishes. I have not once regretted my decision to disobey.”
