By Tequan Wright
An online petition has been
posted on Change.org calling for an investigation of NYPD officers who held and
arrested a man for no apparent reason.
Monroe college student Dariel
Reyes filmed the altercation on his phone. In the video, we see two officers
restraining a man who had just exited the B12 bus on Pelham Parkway.
According to Reyes, the two
officers requested that the man show them identification and proof that he had
paid his bus fare. After the man presented both his ID and his bus receipt, the
officers continued to hold the man, while giving no explanation why.
"I got a ticket, I got ID!
What are you still holding me for?" says the man, his arm being held down
by one of the officers. "What is this about?"
The police give him no real
answer, instead of warning him that his anger is only going to make the
situation worse.
After a couple of minutes, the
man stands up and is immediately grabbed by both officers. A number of other
cops arrive and help handcuff and tackle the man to the ground as he yells out
in disbelief. At one point towards the end of the video, one of the cops
clearly aims a kick at his head.
Reyes uploaded the video to
Youtube, where it went viral.
Many are outraged at the
actions of NYPD, who have a long history of stereotyping Blacks and Latinos,
and this plight is not limited to New York. Earlier this week, Oklahoma police
killed an unarmed Latino man following confusion over a domestic dispute.
Minorities nationwide are angry
and tired of the never-ending stories of police brutality. Fortunately, the age
we live in makes it easier for police to be held accountable for their abusive
actions. Spectators are able to catch moments like this on film, hopefully
paving the way for real change.
You can sign the petition at
change.org here.
