Kansas Metropolis activists are demanding justice after disturbing video emerged of police violently arresting Daysheion Renee Ponds, a younger Black lady, within the Energy & Mild District following the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win on January twenty eighth.
The video exhibits officers tackling Ponds to the bottom, although she claims she posed no risk at 5’2″ and underneath 150 kilos. Ponds alleges she was brutally overwhelmed and referred to as an “animal” whereas handcuffed. She says she suffered accidents together with a concussion.
Gwen Grant, who’s president and CEO of the City League of Higher Kansas Metropolis, referred to as the video out as being “disturbing, to say the least.”
“On its face, this incident seems to be one more failure of KCPD officers to respect the humanity of Black individuals,” Grant informed KCUR. “I hope Chief (Stacey) Graves will put her cash the place her mouth is and get to work holding dangerous cops to account and altering the tradition within the KCPD.”
The incident started after a dispute with a bartender over an unpaid drink. Bystander video exhibits officers pinning Ponds down as she screams for assist. Police could be heard scolding the filming and justifying their actions.
Native teams just like the City League have denounced the “extreme drive” and referred to as for accountability. Police declare they adopted protocol however have launched an investigation given the general public outcry.
The Kansas Metropolis Star reported that Daysheion Renee Ponds stated she suffered a concussion, reminiscence loss, a swollen eye and a bruised face after she was tackled to the bottom by KCPD officers.
“I’m 5’2” and I’m underneath 150 kilos,” Ponds informed the Star. “I used to be no risk, I couldn’t have harm them in any means and the entire time that they have been hitting on me and beating me. I used to be in handcuffs, so I couldn’t have accomplished something excessive to them.”
A bystander who caught the incident on cellphone video, was threatened by one of many officers.
“Get again otherwise you’re going to jail. F—–g file all you need, I’m not enjoying this recreation,” says the officer.
Daysheion Ponds informed the Star that she was by no means a risk and was traumatized by the incident.
“They did issues to me that they didn’t should and it undoubtedly traumatized me. It’s one thing that I’ll always remember. It’s stuff that I keep up all evening fascinated by, stated Ponds.
KCPD spokesman Capt. Jacob Becchina admits the arrest of Daysheion Ponds was “common protocol” and pointed some blame on the bystander who was filming.
“The officer advises the particular person they’re free to movie however that they should again up,” Becchina stated. “Officers are properly inside their proper to advise a citizen to stop their actions if they’re creating an interference.”
Becchina informed the publication that particulars of the arrest are, “not a public file presently because of the ongoing investigation.”
The arrest provides to ongoing considerations about KCPD’s remedy of Black residents, together with ignoring lacking ladies testimony and assaulting a transgender lady on digital camera in 2019. With stress mounting, activists demand change from division management to deal with systemic points.
The disturbing footage and Ponds’ account have sparked outrage locally. Although police counsel customary procedures have been adopted, many see one more occasion of racial bias and abuse of energy requiring justice.
