A video surfaced showing a teenager being violently arrested at Fairfield High School, including being struck by an officer. Community members responded with growing outrage and planned a “Justice Rally” for 4 p.m. Tuesday, one hour before a 5 p.m. City Council meeting. Organizers expect hundreds of attendees and dozens of speakers during public comment. Police said the officer used “distraction strikes” to get the teenager to place his hands behind his back for handcuffing. Community members criticized the actions, with the teenager’s mother and grandmother describing the arrest as unjust and harmful. The police chief said the officer was administratively reassigned while the department navigates the situation.
"Organizers also expect dozens of people to attend and speak during public comment. Community advocate Rodney Alamo Brown said turnout could be significant. He criticized the officer involved, adding, "Unfortunately, this rogue cop has been running very rapid around the community for such a long time without any checks and balances." The video of the arrest shows the moments when teenager Maurice Williams was arrested at Fairfield High School, including when he was struck by an officer."
"The police chief said the blows were "distraction strikes," used to make Williams put his hands behind his back so he could be handcuffed. Those actions have drawn sharp criticism from community members, some of whom spoke out during a rally held last Friday. "There is no explanation at all to hit a child like that, punch him in his face like that," said Evangelina Cherry-Jensen, identified as the mother of a child."
"Ruthy Fisher, identified as Williams' grandmother, also voiced concern about what she saw in the footage. "That bothered me to see my grandbaby lying there getting beat like a dog, hair pulled," she said. According to the Fairfield police chief, the officer involved in Williams' arrest has been "administratively reassigned in the department as we navigate this emotional and challenging time.""
#police-use-of-force #community-protest #juvenile-arrest #fairfield-city-council #bodycamvideo-evidence
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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