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To: Las Vegas Police Department

Tell Vegas PD: Release the video and names of officers that assaulted NFL player Michael Bennett

Release the names of the officers and footage from the police assault on NFL player Michael Bennett on Saturday, August 26, 2017.

Why is this important?

Police brutalizing Black people is endemic in the United States. Last Saturday police terrorized 6'4 ft, 274 lbs NFL star Michael Bennett “for walking while Black”. This latest incident stands as a testament to the police violence targeting Black people in the United States.

Last Saturday, I received an urgent call from Michael Bennett immediately after he was assaulted by police officers in Las Vegas. Michael was leaving the Mayweather-McGregor fight and walking back to his hotel when reported shots fired. He ran for cover and continued walking once he believed he was safe. Unexpectedly, Michael was ordered to lay on the ground by an officer who then held a gun to his head yelling, "Don't move or I will blow your fucking head off!" Officers then tossed Michael into a squad car, only to later release him once he was identified as a famous NFL star. Immediately fearing retaliation for their use of excessive force, the officers lied and told Michael they assaulted him for his own protection.

As a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Network, I receive countless calls from victims and families of police violence. We’ve worked relentlessly to provide folks with emotional support and connect them to policy advocates and lawyers. Yet, often our efforts to hold police accountable are prevented by the state’s lack of transparency. But for Michael’s case, transparency is the first step in the fight for justice.

Demand the Las Vegas Police Department releases Michael Bennett's police footage and the names of the officers involved now!

Las Vegas, NV, United States

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Updates

2017-09-10 13:44:04 -0700

50,000 signatures reached

2017-09-06 19:54:35 -0700

20,000 signatures reached

2017-09-06 17:38:53 -0700

10,000 signatures reached

2017-09-06 17:09:11 -0700

5,000 signatures reached

2017-09-06 12:44:12 -0700

1,000 signatures reached

2017-09-06 10:05:07 -0700

500 signatures reached

2017-09-06 08:36:24 -0700

100 signatures reached

2017-09-06 08:31:19 -0700

50 signatures reached

2017-09-06 08:23:04 -0700

25 signatures reached

2017-09-06 08:15:27 -0700

10 signatures reached