Supporters: Why Mario Gonzalez was detained by Alameda police in the first place?
By Lisa Fernandez
Video shows Alameda police kneeling on Mario Gonzalez shortly before death
The Alameda Police Department released body cam video showing the arrest of Mario Gonzalez, who later died after what was described as a scuffle with police. The video shows an officer kneeling on Gonzalez during the altercation.
ALAMEDA, Calif. - Supporters of a man who died after being handcuffed face down on the ground by Alameda police want to know one simple question: Why was he detained in the first place?
"The video clearly shows that there was no reason to detain Mario," said Gerardo Gonzalez in a statement that was crafted with help from CURYJ, or Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, in Oakland. "He was nonviolent and even the 911 caller knew Mario was not a threat. At no point was Mario a threat to himself or to the officers. There was absolutely no reason to pile on top of Mario. There was absolutely no reason to pin him down with such force that they murdered him."