Cleveland mayor: Peaceful Tamir Rice protests can continue

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s mayor and police chief are pledging to allow peaceful protests to continue in the wake of a grand jury’s decision not to indict two officers in the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.

Police Chief Calvin Williams says the department’s position is to make sure people are allowed to express their First Amendment rights and to do it in a safe way.

Williams said today that protests have dwindled from more than 100 people Monday after the grand jury’s decision to between 45 and 50 on Wednesday.

Mayor Frank Jackson says police overtime hasn’t been used much so far but added that cost is not an issue.

Jackson also says a review of any administrative charges against the officers will be done deliberately and with full due process.