AKRON, Ohio — The City of Akron has called off all large weekend events after eight Akron city council members expressed safety concerns following the June 2 shooting that left one dead and 28 injured at a birthday party in the city. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement Friday afternoon announcing that the city has canceled “large gatherings on city-owned property this weekend due to concerns raised by members of Akron City Council.” Malik’s statement comes after the eight council members shared a letter by email to Malik Friday. “As you know, the tragedy that occurred on June 2nd in the neighborhood of Kelly Ave. and 8th Ave. has had a profound impact on the victims, community, city, and nation,” council members wrote in the letter. “In your own words, ‘the pain and trauma reverberate across all of Akron today as we search for answers.’ We believe to allow city-sanctioned gatherings so soon after this tragedy is irresponsible.” The council members wrote in the letter that on Friday violence broke out at the funeral of the young man who died in the shooting at the birthday party. In the letter they argue that the events should be canceled because tensions are still high, people are still grieving, the shooter is still at-large and large gathers could “set the stage for a copycat or retaliatory shooting.” “We do not need a repeat occurrence,” the letter says. Malik held a press conference Friday night and said that as a former councilman, he takes the role of city council seriously. When he gets a letter like what he got, he takes it very seriously. “I can only imagine the frustration of the organizers. I can only imagine that the vendors, that the people who wanted to attend will be frustrated, will be upset. I recognize that,” he said. “We hope that everyone can be a part of the wonderful Juneteenth celebration this Wednesday.” The city will sponsor a Juneteenth celebration at the John S. Knight Center on Wednesday. The city is asking that all organizers and/or vendors who were going to be a part of the community events to be a part of the city’s event, adding that more details are to come. On Friday night, Rock the Lock at Lock 3 Park and Concert and Water Tower Market at Triangle Park were canceled. The follow events are canceled this weekend: Saturday: Blue Heron Festival at the Mustill StoreAkron Juneteeth Festival at Stoner/Hawkins ParkWard 5 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival at Joy Park Community CenterNu You Event at Hardesty ParkNorth Hill 5KAmerican Heart Association Heart Walk Sunday: West Akron Parade and Juneteenth Father’s Day Celebration at Buchtel CLC and Kerr ParkChurch in the Park at Devenport ParkWellness on the Plaza on Cascade Plaza The city says there is no credible threat to the events this weekend, but Malik said in the press conference that when eight council members have concerns about safety, regardless of the event, all will be canceled. Kaylee Remington is the shopping and entertainment commerce reporter and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online.
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