US Police 'Excessive Force' Controversy...This Time a 15-Year-Old Latinx Boy Was Knocked Down

Published 30 Jul.2020 13:59(KST)

On the 26th (local time), during an anti-racism protest held in Ridgewood City, New Jersey, USA, an American police officer knocked down a 15-year-old Latino boy participating in the protest on a bicycle and handcuffed him. Photo by Boyd Loving, Facebook capture.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A video showing American police officers using excessive force by knocking down a 15-year-old boy who was protesting against racial discrimination has spread online, sparking renewed criticism of police use of force.

According to the British daily The Independent on the 29th (local time), on the 26th in Ridgewood, New Jersey, two police officers grabbed the neck of a 15-year-old Latinx boy participating in the anti-racism protest while riding a bicycle and knocked him to the ground.

In the video, one officer holds one side of the bicycle handlebar and struggles with the boy, while another officer quickly approaches from behind, grabs the boy’s shoulder, and throws him to the ground.

The boy shouted for them to let him go, and the two officers were seen in the video forcing him face down and handcuffing him.

On the 26th, in Ridgewood City, New Jersey, two police officers are restraining a 15-year-old boy who was holding a bicycle. Photo by Ridgewood Black Liberation Movement organization's Instagram capture.

The Ridgewood Black Liberation Movement group posted the video of the incident on Instagram the day after it occurred, saying, "Unacceptable excessive force," and "We are consulting with lawyers to make it clear that such disgusting use of force cannot be overlooked."

As the video spread and controversy grew, Jacqueline Ruske, the police chief of Ridgewood, stated in a press release, "The protesters, including the boy, tried to enter a restricted area," and "We warned them to stop, but the protesters ignored the warning."

The police chief added, "When the police told the boy that a summons would be issued to him, he tried to run away," explaining that they grabbed him to secure custody.