— Asia Gibbs, who attended the protest Saturday evening
Protesters are angry, I get that. This is going to suck. It's expensive, and we don't have any money after everything that's been happening, but people, they do have a right to be angry right now. I just wish it wasn't being expressed in this way. But if this is what it takes to get heard, then this is what it takes to get heard.
— Emily Mendenhall, whose family owns Lily’s Bistro in the Oregon District, which had a window broken on Saturday night
The vast majority of members of this community are law-abiding. Many, many people who were involved in the protest yesterday did so in a lawful an responsible manner. That needs to be the conduct that goes forward. Engaging in property damage, assault and behavior of firing weapons is just unacceptable. It cannot be allowed. It puts everyone at risk, it serves no useful purpose, it is not a means for change.
— Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl
We know a lot needs to happen. We are once again thrust into a national issue that's having a local effect, which we're quite used to, it seems to be the nature of the work over the past year. It doesn't mean we're perfect, and we still have work to do. Chief (Biehl) and I agree on this. We will be working in the coming week with thoughtful leaders in our community to work on those efforts. We have never stopped doing that.
— Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley
What I am hearing is happening by some individuals is a total travesty. And the destructive people are not honoring the name of George Floyd or any African-American who has died in police custody.
— Derrick Foward, president of the Dayton Unit NAACP, who was in Atlanta on Saturday to clean up damage after protests there
