Beatings, Arrests, and Accusations of Racism: In Florida, the police broke up a party for 3000 people

Law enforcement officials in central Florida rejected the allegations of racism brought against them after the arrest of several guests of a party that brought together more than 3000 people last weekend, May 16 and 17, writes CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

Partygoers who spoke to local media said law enforcement's response to the mass gathering in Deland was an example of "racial bias" and "disproportionate police focus on black communities."

Some police officers were injured during the detention, according to Volusi County officials.

The party, announced on social networks, began in the afternoon of May 16, and although police say the situation was relatively calm during the day, “things started to get out of control when the day turned into night,” the statement said. published by the Volusi County Sheriff's Office (VCSO).

VCSO videos show large crowds of people, mostly black people, who have gathered in the streets and in green areas. It is audible how officers discuss how they can best cope with the situation and “smash” large crowds of people gathered in Dieland.

Neither the city nor the county issued permission to host the party, as it was held privately, said Dieland Police Chief Jason Umberger.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood tweeted on May 18: “I do not accept allegations that we are racist or that our actions were racially motivated. This is not true and is an inaccurate conclusion from the video.”

Photo: video screenshot YouTube / NowThis News

Around 22:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, a passenger in a car pointed a rifle or shotgun from an open window at a policeman and pedestrians at a gas station, the VCSO said in a statement.

Shortly after midnight, police said the officers witnessed an exchange of firearms between two men. A policeman approached the men, ordering them to drop their weapons, one of them ran away. The policeman ran after the man. The suspect allegedly threw the gun and continued to run, but he was thrown to the ground, the report said.

The police took away the firearms, the man was charged with possession of the weapons / ammunition by the convicted criminal, forgery of evidence, incitement to unrest and resistance to the police officer without violence. Another member of an arms exchange was arrested on the same charges, with the exception of falsification of evidence. He was also charged with possession of concealed firearms.

Photo: video screenshot YouTube / NowThis News

Two policemen threw bottles of alcohol, and one of them was beaten by a man who immediately left the scene of the crime. Another officer and police officer of Dyland were beaten by a bar stool, other party guests who also fled took part in this. A crowd gathering in the neighborhood continued to throw glass bottles at street patrol cars while arrests were underway, the statement said.

One officer received a minor knee injury, police Dieland had a slight head injury after being hit by a bottle of alcohol.

“This was not only a matter of public safety, but also a matter of public health,” said Chief Umberger. “As of today, no one should gather in large groups of 50 or more people under any circumstances, per Governor DeSantis' orders.”

“While we may be reopening parts of the city, county and state, there should be no large gatherings anywhere until the governor says it's safe to do so,” Umberger added.

When police were asked why they did not block the party after learning about it several days in advance, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said, “These events are happening in different parts of the state of Florida, and while we are blocking one of these parties, another will take place elsewhere."

Answering the question of whether the party itself is legal and whether it is possible to maintain social distance during such meetings, Chitwood referred to unsuccessful arrests due to social distance, committed in New York at the beginning of the pandemic.

“It’s a personal responsibility (social distancing), not a law enforcement job,” he responded.

“Our officers, on our own advice, are not trying to enforce social distancing. First you talk about tense community relations with the police, and now we have to tell people what they hate: hey, you're 5 feet apart, that's not 6, take a step back and think about it,” the chief said Umberger.

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