Police bodycam footage shows the moment a black man was pinned to the ground and arrested in northern California last month after a woman called 911 to report ‘an African American man dancing in the street.’
Videos of the May 23 incident were released on Monday by Alameda city officials, who have called for an independent investigation into the man’s arrest.
Two police officers had arrived at a residential area on Central Avenue just before 8am, after receiving a call from a woman who said: ‘an African-American man is dancing in the street… clearly something is wrong with him.’
The cops are seen approaching Mali Watkins, a 44-year-old martial artist, who neighbors say is known for exercising outside daily.
Alameda city officials released police body cam footage from the May 23 incident on Monday
Two police officers are seen approaching and detaining Mali Watkins after receiving reports of an ‘African American man dancing on the street’
While he is questioned, Watkins is seen becoming increasingly frustrated before one cop tells him he’s being detained for ‘dancing on the street’
During the encounter, Watkins is heard becoming frustrated while officers question him and then tell him he’s being detained for dancing on the street.
‘Is there any particular reason you’re not doing it on the sidewalk?’ the cop asks.
When the officer asks to detain him, Watkins asks: ‘For what?’
‘You’re dancing on the street,’ the cop replies.
Watkins told local media he was just doing his ‘normal workout regimen’ when he was approached
‘So what? I’m dancing on the street,’ Watkins says, visibly annoyed, as he begins to walk away from them.
The cop then tells Watkins he’s not free to go, before they both grab him by the wrist and place him in handcuffs.
Bystander footage of the incident had also been shared on social media earlier, after Watkins asked a woman standing nearby to record the arrest.
He is heard repeatedly telling police officers to let him go as they tell him to stop resisting.
‘Ma’am can you let these people know that I’m not….please record. Please record,’ he pleads with a woman watching nearby.
He was later cited for resisting arrest.
Alameda Vice Mayor John Knox White later issued a statement confirming authorities are investigating the incident.
‘I am outraged and I am sad and I am committed to ensuring that there is a full, independent investigation and that there is accountability for those involved, including those who created a system that allowed this to happen,’ he said.
Officials also released an audio recording of the 911 call in which a woman is heard telling the dispatcher she was ‘worried.’
When asked if the man appeared to be under the influence or mentally unwell, she replies: ‘Either one.’
Neighbor Robert Davidson told ABC7 Watkins is a resident of the neighborhood and is always seen exercising.
‘Hey… he’s from around here, he exercises every day, we know his routine, he didn’t do anything wrong,’ he told the news station.
Watkins is later seen being held down on the ground after he repeatedly asks cops to let him go
The incident was also captured by witnesses after Watkins asked bystanders to record it
City Manager Eric Levitt later released a statement addressing a ‘use of force incident’, which he said ‘raised understandable concerns from residents over how the encounter was handled.’
‘I am interested in moving the Department in a positive direction. At this time, I do not know the reasons why the initial officers approached the call the way they did,’ he said.
‘I am hopeful that an investigation will provide better understanding to that question. I have spoken with the POA President and understand that he shares my interest in having the Department work with the community in addressing concerns brought forward by the community.’