Police violence continues to rear its ugly head -- this time in Mesa, Arizona. Surveillance camera footage from an apartment complex from May 23rd was released to the public earlier this week showing several Mesa police officers violently assaulting, a young Black man, Robert Johnson. The young man who was just on his cell phone and was unarmed was forcibly punched and pushed around. They eventually arrest him -- the officers gave the poor excuse that he was argumentative and refused to sit down. 

Now all the officers involved in this brutal attack have been put on paid administrative leave while the department investigates what happened. But this is not enough. All the officers must be fired immediately. These officers are already being protected and the blame is being placed on the man who was forced to endure the trauma. Police Chief Ramon Batista, who is in charge of running the whole police department, says: "This in no way represents the whole work that is done everyday. They're human beings and certainly, at first glance, this looks like a mistake, it doesn't look right." 

But the police abusing their power and terrorizing people is more than just a mistake. Mesa Police Department has a long, gruesome history of violence and misconduct. Just a week prior to Robert Johnson's assault, another vicious incident where Mesa police officers used extreme force and violence. On May 17th, Mesa police officers assaulted a 15-year-old while arresting him, leading to two officers to be placed on paid administrative leave. Too many times Black and Brown people in Mesa have faced the brunt of the Mesa Police's dangerous encounters. This police department's abusive culture has gone unchecked for years. 

This must stop now. Mesa Police Chief Ramon Batista must do more than make apologies for what these officers did. He must step up and hold the entire police department accountable and stop this cruel policing culture in its tracks. These officers need to be fired now. 

Here is the Petition:

Mesa, AZ police officers abused their power when they viciously assaulted Robert Johson. These officers must be fired immediately. As police chief, you have the authority to ensure the Mesa Police Department acts with integrity. It is unfortunate and disturbing that the Mesa Police Department has such a long history of abuse and misconduct. It is under your leadership that accountability must happen now. Too many people in the Mesa, AZ community have been harmed and terrorized by the police. No one is listening or taking action to correct this misstep. We call on you and your office to make the right decision by firing all the officers involved in this brutal assault immediately.