Family and Community Rebuilds Memorial for Sam DuBose
On Monday, the City of Cincinnati removed a street memorial that honored Sam DuBose at the corner of Rice and Valencia Streets in the Mount Auburn neighborhood. The purpose of the removal was to provide the 12 jurors in the Ray Tensing murder trial a "clean" view of the street corner without any markers related to Mr. DuBose's life.
Outrage amongst Mr. DuBose's family members and others in the community was swift, and the Countdown to Conviction Coalition (comprised of Black Lives Matter: Cincinnati, the Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP, The Peaslee Center, The Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, The AMOS Project, and AIM) quickly scheduled an event for 6:30pm on November 3rd. The candlelight vigil and rally was held on the corner of the two streets, where Mr. DuBose was murdered. After the memorial was rebuilt with flowers, notes, candles, photos, stuffed animals, and other mementos, there was a moment of silence, which was followed by impassioned speeches from members of Mr. DuBose's family, including his mother, Audrey DuBose, and representatives of the Countdown to Conviction Coalition.
Audrey DuBose thanked everyone, who has been "here throughout this whole trying time" for coming out to rebuild the memorial in her son's name. She asked for continued prayers and reminded the gathering that "Samuel Vincent DuBose...he was a beautiful person. We loved him dearly."
The trial of former University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, in the murder of Sam DuBose continues at the Hamilton County Courthouse daily from 9am until 1pm. Community members are encouraged to go to the courthouse and stand outside in a concerted effort to demand justice for Mr. DuBose and his family.
(Article and Images by Lessa Leigh)