The Philadelphia District Attorney confirmed on Friday that a widely circulated video of a city police officer striking a student protestor with a metal baton would result in charges of assault being brought against the officer in question.
The clip, which has appeared across social media, shows Police Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna using the weapon to strike a 21-year-old Temple University student in the head as he was participating in a peaceful anti-Police brutality protest.
The video can be seen below (Warning - some readers will find the footage upsetting):According to a press release provided by DA Larry Krasner, the student - identified as Evan Gorski - suffered “serious bodily injury” as a result of the incident. Krasner confirmed that Gorski had received around 10 staples and 10 sutures after the assault by Bologna.
Krasner confirmed that even though Gorski had originally been detained for over 24 hours for allegedly assaulting an officer, after reviewing the video evidence he had decided to drop all charges, adding: "Instead, Inspector Bologna will face prosecution for his role in the incident."
Krasner’s statement went on to say:
"This moment demands a swift and evenhanded response to violent and criminal acts based on the facts and evidence.
“Americans are taking to the streets to demand a remaking of political, economic, and legal systems that serve the powerful at the expense of citizens’ health, welfare, and lives. There can be no safety or peace without justice. My office will continue to hold people who cause harm to others equally accountable."
Despite push back from the Philadelphia Police Union, who have vociferously defended Bologna, Krasner is far from the only critic rebuking the Inspector for his conduct.
Citing the officer’s alleged history of forceful policing, Michael Mellon, head of the Police Accountability Unit of the Defenders Association of Philadelphia, said:
“If one of these officers striking protesters was, in fact, Staff Inspector Bologna, a high-ranking supervisor, it shows that the [Philadelphia] police department has severe leadership issues.
"There is no accountability at all if a guy like this ends up being promoted and put in charge of protests. He leads by example.”
By contrast, Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police President, John McNesby, refuted the allegations, declaring:
“The FOP is disgusted to learn of the arrest of one of its most decorated and respected police leaders. These charges clearly illustrate Krasner’s anti-police agenda in Philadelphia.”
Unrest continues to unfold across the US, as protests - some peaceful, some violent - are calling out the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
As well as a call for justice, these ongoing protests are also demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.
The message is simple: Black lives matter.
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