SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Dozens of people took part in a peaceful protest outside of the County Jail in downtown San Diego late Thursday night to demand the release of a man arrested at Chicano Park.
Protesters said 22-year-old Eddie Alvarez was at the park on Thursday as a woman -- identified as a community activist -- was being taken into custody by San Diego police officers.
Alvarez began recording officers as they carried out the arrest, but he too was arrested, the protesters said.
In video captured by a witness, officers approached Alvarez, words were exchanged, and then a struggle ensued. The footage showed officers taking Alvarez down and attempting to handcuff him.
The protesters said the video shows officers striking Alvarez as they arrested him.
One demonstrator said, “While he (Alvarez) was filming police, they came out and told him to stop recording. He said, ‘No, I don’t feel safe, I’m going to keep recording, especially with my girlfriend right here with the kids,’ and they didn’t like that … The cops ended up jumping him and rushed him to the ground and started punching him in the ribs. He wasn’t resisting whatsoever.”
Police said Alvarez was arrested for obstructing and resisting arrest.
