Protesters held a demonstration at Central Plaza in Downtown Canton on Friday.
They held signs demanding for those officers to be held, in addition to saying they wouldn’t stop giving up on their fight until justice was served.
“In 2020, when it was George Floyd, it was a different time. I know we had a lot less to lose at that moment, but this is just as important,” said Sierra Mason, a local community activist.
Dozens of protesters lined Tuscarawas Street in Downtown Canton to demand justice for Frank Tyson.
“I’m here because I want to show my daughter and my family that this could’ve been me,” said Jabarius Holiday, who’s a local protest.
Frank Tyson’s cousin, Amia Tyson, says she and her family will not be silenced until they say those officers are held accountable.
“It can be your family member next; it can be your son next; it can be your baby next that you have to stand up here and plead for the public’s help,” said Amia Tyson.
As the Tyson family waits for the next steps, they encourage the community to stand behind them for Frank Tyson.
“We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere until we get justice for Frank Eugene Tyson,” said Amia Tyson.
It’s not clear when the next protest will happen, but activists encourage more people to come out and support them at the next one.
What happened on April 18
According to Canton Police, officers responded to a one-vehicle crash in the 1700 block of Sherrick Road Southeast around 8:15 p.m. on April 18.
Officers found a power pole in the road and Tyson's vehicle empty. Police located Tyson a short distance away after witnesses pointed them towards the AMVETS lodge down the street.
Canton Police said that Tyson struggled with officers during his arrest and, after he was placed in handcuffs, became unresponsive. CPR and several doses of Narcan were administered before paramedics arrived.
Tyson was taken to Aultman Hospital, where police say he was pronounced dead at 9:18 p.m.
'I can't breathe'
Canton Police later released video footage of Tyson's arrest.
Two Canton police officers, identified by the department as Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, attempt to handcuff the 53-year-old Tyson at 8:27 p.m.
In the video, Tyson says: "They’re trying to kill me," and also says, "I can't breathe."
The struggle continues as officers get Tyson fully on the ground, one officer with his knee pressed on his back. Tyson was also handcuffed. Tyson continued to shout that he couldn’t breathe.
RELATED: Canton police body cam reveals 8-minute gap until CPR is given to suspect who died in police custody
An officer then takes his knee off Tyson’s back.
After Tyson is apprehended on the ground at 8:29 p.m., officers are seen looking through his wallet for an I.D. and talking to bystanders. Five minutes after Tyson said he couldn’t breathe for the final time, another officer came back in the frame at 8:34 p.m.
“Did he clam down?” asked the officer. “Is he breathing?”
The officer checked his pulse before walking out of the frame.
Minutes continue to pass.
“Does he have a pulse?” asked an officer at 8:37 p.m. “He’s unresponsive.”
According to the video, officers started CPR eight minutes after Tyson was last responsive on video. CPR continues for over 10 minutes as medics arrive on the scene until eventually stopping at 8:51 p.m. when Tyson is rolled out on a stretcher.
Tyson's family wants a thorough investigation
Tyson’s niece, Jasmine, said she watched the video with police when it was released.
“He said that he didn't want to die,” Jasmine said. “He was like, ‘call the sheriff,’ and then when they finally got him down, he said that he couldn’t breathe.”
Jasmine said her uncle was released just weeks ago from a 24-year prison sentence. They didn’t get a chance to visit.
“We just kept saying, 'We are going to see each other, we are going to see each other,'” she said.
“I just hope BCI takes their time watching this because every inch and every time of that video needs to be played at the bar; that’s what they need to see,” Jasmine said. "It’s crazy, it’s nonsense.”
Funeral
The Celebration of Life service for Frank E. Tyson, the Canton man who died in police custody last month, was held Wednesday at Hear the Word Ministries Church.
American Civil Rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton gave the eulogy at the funeral. Attorney Ben Crump, who represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is representing Tyson's family, was also among those who spoke.
RELATED: Rev. Al Sharpton gives eulogy at Frank Tyson's funeral as family calls for justice
During the eulogy, Sharpton called on the community to "Stand up for Frank Tyson!"
"You can't give us Frank back, but you can give justice to this family," Sharpton said.
