This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/24/nypd-altercation-pregnant-woman-video

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
NYPD investigating video of officers pushing pregnant woman to the ground NYPD investigating video of officers pushing pregnant woman to the ground
(35 minutes later)
New York City police are investigating an altercation between officers and a pregnant woman that was captured on amateur video, officials said Wednesday.New York City police are investigating an altercation between officers and a pregnant woman that was captured on amateur video, officials said Wednesday.
The video shows an officer struggling with a woman who police say tried to intervene in the arrest of her 17-year-old son early Saturday morning in Brooklyn. The woman is taken to the ground on her stomach by the officer.The video shows an officer struggling with a woman who police say tried to intervene in the arrest of her 17-year-old son early Saturday morning in Brooklyn. The woman is taken to the ground on her stomach by the officer.
The woman, Sandra Amezquita, is 5 months pregnant, her attorney Sanford Rubenstein said. The woman, Sandra Amezquita, is five months pregnant, her attorney Sanford Rubenstein said.
Amezquita was asking police to “stop using excessive force” on her son when the altercation happened around 2.15am, Rubenstein said.Amezquita was asking police to “stop using excessive force” on her son when the altercation happened around 2.15am, Rubenstein said.
A man can be heard on the tape yelling “Oh my God, she’s pregnant.”A man can be heard on the tape yelling “Oh my God, she’s pregnant.”
“I’m afraid of what is going to happen to my baby. I pray to God nothing happens to him,” Amezquita, who is about 5 months pregnant, said through an interpreter at a press conference.“I’m afraid of what is going to happen to my baby. I pray to God nothing happens to him,” Amezquita, who is about 5 months pregnant, said through an interpreter at a press conference.
Rubenstein called the case “appalling.” Rubenstein called the case “appalling”.
“It’s clear to me when an incident like this occurs you understand why police community relations are at an all-time low,” the attorney said.“It’s clear to me when an incident like this occurs you understand why police community relations are at an all-time low,” the attorney said.
Internal affairs investigators are looking into the matter, said chief police spokesman Steve Davis.Internal affairs investigators are looking into the matter, said chief police spokesman Steve Davis.
Rubenstein said another woman who walked over to see what was happening also was thrown to the ground by police; Amezquita’s husband was also hurt.Rubenstein said another woman who walked over to see what was happening also was thrown to the ground by police; Amezquita’s husband was also hurt.
The lawyer said doctors told Amezquita “there’s no way to tell” if the baby was harmed.The lawyer said doctors told Amezquita “there’s no way to tell” if the baby was harmed.
Police identified the teen as Jhohan Lemos. He was charged with weapon possession, resisting arrest and harassment. Police said he was carrying an illegal knife and has been arrested five times, including for gang assault and robbery.Police identified the teen as Jhohan Lemos. He was charged with weapon possession, resisting arrest and harassment. Police said he was carrying an illegal knife and has been arrested five times, including for gang assault and robbery.
Amezquita received a summons for disorderly conduct. Two other men were charged with assault, resisting arrest and other charges.Amezquita received a summons for disorderly conduct. Two other men were charged with assault, resisting arrest and other charges.
Rubenstein scheduled a news conference with the alleged victims for Wednesday afternoon.Rubenstein scheduled a news conference with the alleged victims for Wednesday afternoon.
Last week another officer from the same precinct was suspended after a video appeared to show him kicking a street fair vendor and walking away.Last week another officer from the same precinct was suspended after a video appeared to show him kicking a street fair vendor and walking away.