ACLU of Oklahoma Calling for Independent Investigation into OCPD Arrest of Black Lives Matter Protester

 

July 14, 2016

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Following the release of video and eyewitness accounts of the arrest of Black Lives Matter protester, Brandon “Donny” Lara, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma is calling for an independent investigation of the arrest.

“This arrest is troubling and probably unconstitutional,” said Brady Henderson, ACLU of Oklahoma Legal Director. “We’ve reviewed video footage of the arrest and find it wildly inconsistent with the arresting police officer’s sworn affidavit. The arresting officer does not appear to have been truthful about the cause of arrest, nor does the officer’s affidavit include sufficient allegations to support the charges made against Lara, even if those allegations were true. This raises serious concerns about the legality of Mr. Lara’s continued imprisonment.”

The ACLU of Oklahoma urges the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office to request an independent investigation into the arrest and Mr. Lara’s continued detainment. The police affidavit on its face is not cause for continuing to jail Mr. Lara, Henderson said.

Henderson said a video of the arrest and information from witnesses at the event show that Mr. Lara was neither resisting officers nor was he causing any disturbance when he was arrested, a direct contradiction to the sworn statement of the arresting officer.

Based on this information, the Oklahoma City Police Department should consider the immediate suspension of the charges against Mr. Lara and release him from custody. In addition, law enforcement officials should allow an independent investigation into the arrest and false allegations made against Mr. Lara to determine whether the offending officer should be subject to disciplinary action or criminal prosecution.

Click here to see the Affidavit.

The ACLU of Oklahoma is not currently representing Brandon Lara or any other parties involved in this arrest. Our calls for an independent investigation are made as a watchdog for civil rights and police practices in Oklahoma.