A COUNCIL leader has said she was “angry” after seeing a video of a man being pinned to the ground by police officers.
Footage shows a black man being arrested in Montpelier Road, Brighton, on Tuesday.
In the video, he asks an officer “Why have you got your arm on my neck?” before saying “I can’t breathe”.
READ MORE>>>Police chief speaks out after anger over arrests of black men in Brighton and Hove
“That is my Adam’s apple and you are crushing it,” the man said.
But the officer denies this and says: “I am not on your throat.”
The footage was widely shared on social media ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest in the city tomorrow.
READ MORE>>>Witness 'utterly shocked' by police arrest
After seeing the video, Brighton and Hove City Council leader Nancy Platts will meet with Brighton and Hove divisional police commander Nick May and Mahir Chowdhury, the chairman of the Brighton and Hove Racial Harassment Forum, to discuss the restraints used during the arrest.
Cllr Platts said: “I was angry when I saw the video and I know other people are too.
“Many people have contacted me to share their fear and distress and I thank them for reaching out to me and other councillors about this.
“I’ve spoken with Nick May and have asked him for details about this arrest and about the restraining techniques that were used.
“I agree with Sussex Police’s decision to refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who will look into this and form a decision on whether any further investigation is needed.
“I understand this referral in itself won’t make people feel less angry about the restraint methods used.
“I have spoken with the chairman of the Brighton and Hove Racial Harassment Forum, Mahir Chowdhury, and have agreed to attend a meeting between Mahir and Nick to hear more about how people are arrested and community relations between the police and Black communities in the city."
Ahead of tomorrow’s protest, Cllr Platts said the council “must do more” to end racism in Brighton and Hove.
She said: “Brighton and Hove is renowned around the world for its strength as a city because we challenge inequality.
“We know as a council we need to do more to end racism and racial inequality in the city and we have given that commitment to start this work immediately.
“A Black Lives Matter march is being held in the city this weekend. I want the march to be safe for everyone to attend so that together we can show our solidarity in ending racism.
“I ask everyone to protest peacefully so that voices can be heard and listened to.”
The Montpelier road arrest is not the only video to be widely shared on social media.
READ MORE>>>People plead with police as officers hold black man down in street
Footage of the arrest of a 22-year-old man in York Road, Hove, on June 26 has also been posted on several sites.
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