Video of an apparent immigration arrest Wednesday morning in Prince George’s County, Maryland, raised new concerns in the community.
Professional photographer Raphi Talisman’s video shows officers detaining a man at the business intersection of Hamilton Street and Queens Chapel Road in Hyattsville. Officers are seen trying to handcuff a man on the ground. At one point, an officer’s gun dropped to the ground, and he lunged to pick it up and appeared to point it.
Talisman had dropped his child off at school just before 8:30 a.m. when he saw what was happening and started to record.
“It could have gotten way out of control very quickly,” he said. “It was such a dangerous situation.”
Drivers honked their horns, and some yelled at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as they struggled to put the man in handcuffs.
The detainee’s cries were heartbreaking, Talisman said.
“I love America,” the detainee is heard saying on video showing two officers holding him down.
“The real thing was the brutality of it all. It’s disgusting,” Talisman said.
The video spread on social media.
Prince George’s County Council member Wanika Fisher said she was angered and saddened by it. She emphasized county police do not work with ICE in making arrests.
“I don’t think it’s something that we accept,” she said, “and I think filming interactions like that show the community what their federal government is doing in this constant dog and pony show. I think it’s important to bring awareness to our community.”
The arrest was in an area with a diverse population and several popular Hispanic businesses and restaurants. State Del. Deni Taveras, D-Prince George’s County, said the incident makes some fearful to go out and support those businesses.
“This administration is not creating a safe environment,” she said. “We feel very afraid for our lives, literally.
ICE has said officers identify themselves when making arrests and can wear masks to protect their identities.
Police eventually placed the man in handcuffs and put him in a van. It’s unclear why the officers arrested the man or if he’s facing charges.
News4 reached out to ICE but has not received a response.
Talisman said videos like his are spreading awareness of what ICE is doing in the community.
“If ICE is attacking one part of the community, they’re attacking all of us,” he said.
Telemundo 44 spoke to another witness, who said he was scared by the officer holding the gun.
The Department of Homeland Security said Job Arias-Mendoza is from El Salvador, entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been arrested for first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, concealing a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.
“During the time of arrest, Arias actively resisted federal law enforcement and attempted to bite one of the officers. After he was handcuffed, Arias was found to have multiple knives and drugs in his possession,” DHS said in a statement.
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/4nyBWL6
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