“I'm Not Your Brother,” Says Officer Tasering Black Minnesota Man in Front of His Children
YouTube
A video and audio recording taken in January that's surfaced in recent days appears to capture an unarmed, unaggressive St. Paul, Minnesota, man being immobilized with a stun gun in front of his children.
The man, Christopher Lollie, was reported to police because he was allegedly sitting in a restricted area of a building that also includes a public space. Lollie is shown walking away from the area in question while telling a police officer that he hadn't seen a sign marking it as nonpublic; he says he is heading to pick up his children from school and refuses to give the officer identification. A second officer approaches and quickly escalates the situation. From the Twin Cities Daily Planet:
“I’ve got to go get my kids,” the man tells the second officer, pulling his arm away. “Please don’t touch me.”
“You’re going to go to jail then,” the second officer says.
“I’m not doing anything wrong,” the man replies.
At this point, both officers grab the man.
“Come on brother,” the man says, “This is assault.”
“I’m not your brother,” the second officer replies. “Put your hands behind your back otherwise it’s going to get ugly.”
The video cuts out as the officers use a Taser on Lollie; what seems to be children crying can be heard in the background. According to Minnesota's Fox 9, Lollie was charged with "trespassing, disorderly conduct and obstruction of the legal process," but charges were dropped. A statement from St. Paul police Chief Tom Smith says officers became violent with Lollie because they "believed he might either run or fight with them."
TODAY IN SLATE
The Ebola Voter
Thirteen ways Democrats and Republicans are exploiting the virus for political gain.
The Jarring Experience of Watching White Americans Speak Frankly About Race
The West Didn’t “Steal” Poland and the Baltic States From Russia. It Rescued Them.
The Most Ingenious Teaching Device Ever Invented
This Legendary Surfer Just Pulled Off an Incredible Move
A Supercluster of Anxiety
America’s fears of immigration, terrorism, and Ebola are coming together in one absurd moment.
