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Protesters call for transparency from La Mesa Police Department

Posted at 6:08 AM, Aug 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-12 09:08:05-04

LA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) -- Protesters gathered at the La Mesa Police Department Tuesday evening, once again calling for more transparency and accountability from the department.

The protest came just a few days after the department announced that former LMPD officer Matt Dages was no longer employed with the department.

Dages was the officer caught on video during the arrest of Amaurie Johnson in May. The charges against Johnson were later dropped.

Activists say the department's statement about Dages' employment was vague. They want the former officer charged and arrested.

In a press conference hours before the protest, Johnson said he wants equality and will keep fighting for change until it happens.

The protest remained peaceful; officers did detain a counter-protester but later told ABC 10News he was released after determining no crime had been committed.