A North Carolina activist who went to Akron, Ohio to protest the murder of Jayland Walker at the hands of Akron Police was repeatedly punched in the face by police at a “peaceful protest” in front of the Akron Police Department Wednesday night.
Michael Harris, 37, who is known as “Activist Pressure” from North Carolina was gathered with protesters in front of the police station, when some of the protesters started disrupting the flow of traffic, according to police. Police say they arrested 55-year-old Jacob Blake Sr and Harris. Both men are charged with rioting, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, and resisting arrest. Blake Sr. was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and Harris was taken to the Summit County Jail.
In a statement police said that “Force was needed to effect their arrest,” but many on social media say that police did not have to punch Harris like they did. I agree. The punches were excessive, but Harris also should have complied and handled what he felt was a false arrest in court.
Blake is the father of Jacob Blake, who was shot and seriously injured by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.
Bianca Austin was also arrested.
Austin is an aunt of Breonna Taylor. Taylor was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March 2020 during a raid on her home.
Police said none of the 7 arrested Wednesday night were from Ohio. According to police, they were from North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
A video surfacing online shows Michael Harris being punched by an Akron, Ohio police officer violently as he continued to resist arrest.
WATCH VIDEO BOTH VIDEOS BELOW:
(Video of Harris Resisting)
(Video of Harris Being Brutally Punched By Police)
