The Department of Kenosha police in Wisconsin investigate whether their officers used extreme force when beating an African-American man who was holding his baby in his arms at an Applebee’s restaurant by confusing him with the suspects of a hit-and-run.
Media such as WISN 12 News reported this week that on July 20, the agents arrived at the restaurant in search of those involved in an accident. Witnesses to the accident said they saw two black men and a woman carrying a baby running toward an Applebee’s.
“(The Police) came and asked (the family) to show him in which car they arrivedin order to verify if they were part of the accident or not,” Jennifer Harris, former manager of the place, told the aforementioned television station.
Another unidentified employee told officers of the presence of a man and a woman with a child eating at a table.
“The guy didn’t want to comply; he had his baby in his arms. (Officers) kept telling him that he was not under arrest, but he was in custody, and he had to answer the question,” Harris stated.
“He was trying to say that he needed to change his son’s diaper. He tried to move to another side, they subjected him against the wall and the baby’s head hit the wall,” the manager described.
The video images of the intervention that circulate in this and other media show an officer punching the man and yelling at the man to put his hands behind his back.
The officers also snatched the child from her arms. while he was lying on the ground.
“It’s just sad. I feel bad for the baby who had to go through this traumatic event.Harris added through tears.
The identity of the couple has not been released; nor that of the suspects in the crash.
The couple was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting and obstructing the work of an officer. The woman was also charged with possession of marijuana. It is not clear what charges were filed against those allegedly responsible for the hit-and-run.
Harris launched a lawsuit against the franchise for wrongful termination. The administration removed her from her position for having recorded the incident and shared her material on networks and with the media.
Community leaders demonstrated this Wednesday outside the restaurant to question what you think was use of extreme force against parents.
“Why do cops feel like they need that level of force against a man with a baby in his arms,” said Tanya McLean, the executive director of Leaders of Kenosha.
“What is it that makes you feel like you need to be too aggressive, so confrontational, like you’re ready for a fight?” added the activist.
