Black University of VA Student, Martese Johnson, Receives Bloody Arrest by Police [VIDEO]

School officials released a statement, saying:

His head was slammed into the hard pavement with excessive force. This was wrong and should not have occurred. In the many years of our medical, professional and leadership roles at the University, we view the nature of this assault as highly unusual and appalling based on the information we have received.

The Black Student Alliance organization (which Johnson holds a leadership position in) promoted the Wednesday night protest through its Facebook page, originally intending to hold it in a classroom. But so many students showed up — an estimated 300 — that the demonstration was moved to the campus amphitheater.

The state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, whose officers arrested Johnson, said in a statement that he was detained after being refused entry to a bar. Alcoholic Beverage Control agent J. Miller noted in his arrest report that Johnson

was very agitated and belligerent but [has] no previous criminal history.

Johnson has hired attorney Daniel P. Watkins to represent him. Watkins released a statement, saying:

I have spoken with him several times today and he is absolutely devastated by yesterday’s events. Currently, we are preparing to investigate and defend this matter vigorously. Please keep Martese in your prayers during this difficult time.

[Associated Press, New York Daily News]

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