“Hannah was right down there in the thick of it, and I was as close as you could get through the phone,” says Grove, a sports reporter for cleveland.com. “I’m respectful for the right to protest, and I think early in the day Cleveland did a nice job of getting the message out that there is a problem for African Americans and police brutality, and it has to end.”
At a certain point, a peaceful protest took a turn as police met crowds with batons, rubber bullets and tear gas, and dissenters turned to violence, smashing windows and burning cars. As the destruction mounted, Grove decided to share a call to action to his Twitter followers.
“When I saw people start looting and rioting, I got angry because I know we’re better than that, and I knew Clevelanders of every race, ethnicity, gender and religious belief,” says Grove. “So I said somebody’s got to clean it up, why not us? Why can’t I spearhead something?”
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be downtown, cleaning up the city that I love so dearly.
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) May 31, 2020
9 a.m. at the statues at Progressive Field.
And then I’ll be off.
Would love to see you and work to clean up our city together!
Among other cleanup efforts such as one spearheaded by DJ Steph Floss and Ricky Smith, about 30 people showed up first thing the next morning with another 50 or so trickling in later. People came from as far as Youngstown, Akron and Atlanta. From 9 a.m. to noon, when the city went under a government-mandated lockdown that lasts through June 2, the group, which included notable locals such as 92.3 The Fan’s Ken Carmen and the Associated Press’s Tom Withers, covered East Fourth Street, West Sixth Street and Chester Avenue with the limited time it had.
“Everybody brought supplies, water bottles, snacks and brooms — everything you could imagine,” says Grove. “It was just a really selfless and hugely empathetic and caring and kind and giving and beautiful day.”
Empty water bottles and other trash, food waste such as broken eggs and shattered glass littered the streets. Owners and managers of businesses such as Winking Lizard, Hanabi Japanese and XO Steakhouse, which all suffered damage, were consoled by the cleanup crew and some thanked them with water and food. Many of which appreciated the help, but mentioned they’d been forced to hire cleanup crews, a difficult hit after months of COVID-19-related shutdowns.
“I spoke with John Lane from Winking Lizard, and he was just devastated because they’ve already been through so much with this pandemic, and they’re finally able to pen and this happens, adding more stress, work and financial stress,” says Grove.
As the cleanup movement was commended by Cleveland officials and locals, some questioned the language surrounding the conversation. Many online commenters referred to so-called “real Clevelanders” being celebrated for the cleanup, while protestors had caused a “sad day for our city.”
Today was the most beautiful day in the most beautiful city with the most beautiful people in the world. Cleveland showed its true colors. We came together. We worked hard. We tooksomething terrible and made it great. So many people to thank... pic.twitter.com/bYnEDA8i7c
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) May 31, 2020
Grove says he felt the cleanup efforts got the right amount of coverage, and that the reality of the situation is more nuanced.
“I think Saturday was a good day and a bad night,” he says. “So many people came out and made their voices heard and did so in a non-violent, cogent and respectful matter. But there’s no doubt that it turned ugly. Yes, OK, I know they’re trying to make their actions speak as words, but it’s hard for me to see that as protesting. The day was inspiring, but it ended badly.”
No matter the criticism, the takeaway should be that Clevelanders can rally together to rebuild a better city and confront any problem that may arise, Grove says.
“It was so inspiring, and I was just like Wow, this is what this city is all about,” he says. “Yes, we have to do more for social injustice and racial equality. Yes, we have to fight for all those things, and we need to do a better job. But certainly, it gave me hope that so many people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds were there and helping. It was awesome.”
