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solacekames:

Copwatch of East Atlanta says in a video that police lied about arrests at a neo-Nazi rally, including what happened to their cameraman

By John Barker, Patch Staff | Apr 26, 2018 

NEWNAN, GA – A group that says its mission is to protect communities from police abuse is calling police liars for the official description of people taken into custody facing down neo-Nazis last weekend. Ten arrests were made at the neo-Nazi rally held in Newnanon Saturday. Those arrested were there to shout down the white supremacists and were mostly arrested for disorderly conduct and possession of prohibited items such as masks, fireworks, smoke grenades, various types of insect spray, bottles inscribed with the terms “shake and law” and a shield with outfacing screws, according to a statement made by the City of Newnan.

On Wednesday, Copwatch of East Atlanta said their teams directly observed the protest, and what they documented is far different from the story the police have told.

Here is what Copwatch of East Atlanta says about what happened at the white supremacist rally at Greenville Street Park on Saturday:

  • Police claim that activists were arrested for wearing masks, but the group has video it says shows several of those charged with “wearing a mask” were completely unmasked.
  • Police claim that activists were blocking the street, but Copwatch documentation shows activists repeatedly pulled off the sidewalk into the street and then arrested.
  • Police claim that activists were blocking the street, but Copwatch video shows activists repeatedly pulled off the sidewalk into the street and then arrested.
  • Several of the arrests were unfounded and police were forced to release the activists that same day without charge.

Patch has contacted authorities seeking comment on the allegations by Copwatch, and will update this story with any reply.

According to Copwatch of East Atlanta, their cameraman was purposefully targeted for recording the event.

“Especially concerning was the violent arrest of one of our camera people, Andrew,” reads the Copwatch website. “He was at the protest not as a participant but as a legal observer, documenting police activity. He was clearly marked as an observer, and was careful to break no laws.

“Unfortunately, Newnan police seemed uncomfortable with being recorded, because they specifically targeted Andrew for arrest,” continues the post. “Without warning, they dragged him off the sidewalk and threw him forcefully to the pavement, injuring him. He was held in handcuffs and his backpack and camera were illegally searched. Once the protesters had left the area, he was released without charge. This hostility towards freedom of the press and transparency should be very troubling.”

Copwatch also questioned what the police said the anti-neo-Nazi protestors were carrying.

“… Similarly, claims about supposed dangerous contraband are questionable. Police have presented a bottle containing "liquid antacid and water” or “LAW” as evidence of malicious intent, but “LAW” is a harmless home remedy. It’s unclear why items like this were enough to convince officers that their lives were in danger.

“It’s always common to find a few discrepancies between official reports and our documentation on the ground, and it’s common for officers to occasionally make mistakes in enforcing the law. However in this case we see a pattern of false and misleading statements made by police representatives, and we documented many unjustified arrests, all similar. We believe this clearly shows that the police engaged in a deliberate campaign to suppress anti-racist protests in Newnan.”