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Outrage In Compton Over Video Of Deputies' Rough Arrest Of Black Man
A screenshot from a bystander video shows the violent arrest of a man by L.A. County sheriff's deputies last month. (Via YouTube)
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There's outrage in Compton over a bystander video showing L.A. County sheriff's deputies violently arresting a young black man.
24-year-old Dalvin Price said he was driving home on May 31 after visiting friends. He said he noticed deputies following him, so he stopped and got out of his car.
Price said they told him to get on the ground, and immediately started beating him.
"I was kicked, my head was banged on the floor, non-stop, repeatedly," Price said, "after I told them I wasn't resisting."
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The bystander video shows three deputies roughly pinning Price on the ground, with one holding Price's head down with his leg and punching him once, and another kneeing him five times in the side.
The sheriff's department is the police force in Compton.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva has said the department is investigating the incident. Last week he said he believed Price was detained for being one of those looting a nearby CVS.
On Wednesday the department said Price was arrested for assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Villanueva also said last week that one fleeing looter had struck a deputy with his car.
Price's attorney, Jamon Hicks, said no formal charges have been filed as yet against his client.
Hicks said he's preparing a formal complaint that will demand the deputies involved in the incident be fired and charged with assault.
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Joining Price at his press conference Wednesday, Compton mayor Aja Brown said she's demanding the deputies be reassigned away from the Compton station, and that there be consequences for "any member of law enforcement that violates the right of human beings."
"We challenge the sheriff's department -- Sheriff Villanueva -- to seize the opportunity to evolve with society and eradicate the systemic racism and the paramilitary tactics deployed by the sheriff's department rooted in the tradition of white supremacy and intimidation," Brown said.
She said the department will have to provide accountability if it wants to continue to contract with Compton to police its streets. That contract is for more than $22 million, Brown said.
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