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| Seeking answers on arrest, U-Va. students’ anger grows | |
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| CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — Chanting “black lives matter” and raising their fists, more than 100 African American students walked out of a meeting with law enforcement officials here Friday, as the University of Virginia community expressed growing frustration in the quest for answers about the violent arrest this week of a black student. | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — Chanting “black lives matter” and raising their fists, more than 100 African American students walked out of a meeting with law enforcement officials here Friday, as the University of Virginia community expressed growing frustration in the quest for answers about the violent arrest this week of a black student. |
| The meeting in U-Va.’s Newcomb Hall aimed to give students a chance to question local police chiefs and Virginia’s secretary of public safety and homeland security, two days after student Martese Johnson was shown in cellphone videos and photographs, his face covered in blood as white officers held him to the ground. | The meeting in U-Va.’s Newcomb Hall aimed to give students a chance to question local police chiefs and Virginia’s secretary of public safety and homeland security, two days after student Martese Johnson was shown in cellphone videos and photographs, his face covered in blood as white officers held him to the ground. |
| The officers, with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, took the 20-year-old into custody early Wednesday on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice and public intoxication after a bouncer refused to let him into Trinity Irish Pub. Images of Johnson went viral through social media and have rocked the prestigious 23,000-student public university. An ABC special agent described Johnson in court documents as “very agitated and belligerent” at the time of the arrest. | The officers, with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, took the 20-year-old into custody early Wednesday on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice and public intoxication after a bouncer refused to let him into Trinity Irish Pub. Images of Johnson went viral through social media and have rocked the prestigious 23,000-student public university. An ABC special agent described Johnson in court documents as “very agitated and belligerent” at the time of the arrest. |
| But the students who packed Friday’s meeting were irate. And many suggested that the case reflects a pattern of racial bias at U-Va. and elsewhere across the country. It came at a time of heightened awareness of racial profiling and amid widespread criticism of white officers interacting violently, or even lethally, with black men. | But the students who packed Friday’s meeting were irate. And many suggested that the case reflects a pattern of racial bias at U-Va. and elsewhere across the country. It came at a time of heightened awareness of racial profiling and amid widespread criticism of white officers interacting violently, or even lethally, with black men. |
| “These incidents are not isolated,” said Aryn Frazier, an activist in the Black Student Alliance. “Not in Charlottesville, not in New York and not across the nation. ... Instead they are products of a very sick justice system.” | “These incidents are not isolated,” said Aryn Frazier, an activist in the Black Student Alliance. “Not in Charlottesville, not in New York and not across the nation. ... Instead they are products of a very sick justice system.” |
| At the request of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), Virginia State Police are investigating Johnson’s arrest. Brian Moran, who as secretary of public safety oversees the state police and ABC among other agencies, cautioned that the probe could take weeks. He asked the students for patience. | At the request of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), Virginia State Police are investigating Johnson’s arrest. Brian Moran, who as secretary of public safety oversees the state police and ABC among other agencies, cautioned that the probe could take weeks. He asked the students for patience. |
| “We know it is important to gather all of the facts, and be sure we know all of the relevant facts before reaching conclusions,” he said. But Moran said that if the investigation concludes that steps must be taken to fix problems within ABC, “we will not hesitate to take those actions.” | “We know it is important to gather all of the facts, and be sure we know all of the relevant facts before reaching conclusions,” he said. But Moran said that if the investigation concludes that steps must be taken to fix problems within ABC, “we will not hesitate to take those actions.” |
| ABC has said little about the arrest, citing the investigation. ABC officials said that Johnson was arrested after he was turned away from entry at a bar toward the end of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. | ABC has said little about the arrest, citing the investigation. ABC officials said that Johnson was arrested after he was turned away from entry at a bar toward the end of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. |
| Ryant Washington, a former Fluvanna County sheriff who is a policy adviser for ABC law enforcement, came with Moran. Asked whether ABC’s police training is adequate, Washington said the investigation limited what he could say. “I cannot answer that with a yes or no answer,” he said. | Ryant Washington, a former Fluvanna County sheriff who is a policy adviser for ABC law enforcement, came with Moran. Asked whether ABC’s police training is adequate, Washington said the investigation limited what he could say. “I cannot answer that with a yes or no answer,” he said. |
| University President Teresa A. Sullivan told The Washington Post this week that she has asked for help from ABC to assist in curtailing sales of alcohol to minors but has been frustrated that agents have gone after students for underage drinking. | University President Teresa A. Sullivan told The Washington Post this week that she has asked for help from ABC to assist in curtailing sales of alcohol to minors but has been frustrated that agents have gone after students for underage drinking. |
| In a series of e-mails between university officials and ABC special agents in 2013 — when ABC stepped up enforcement around campus — ABC officials made it clear that they were targeting fraternity parties and underage drinking on campus and would go so far as to obtain search warrants for houses if they suspected illegal sales or consumption of alcohol. | In a series of e-mails between university officials and ABC special agents in 2013 — when ABC stepped up enforcement around campus — ABC officials made it clear that they were targeting fraternity parties and underage drinking on campus and would go so far as to obtain search warrants for houses if they suspected illegal sales or consumption of alcohol. |
| That warning came the same month that a 20-year-old U-Va. student was arrested after ABC special agents mistook her purchase of sparkling water to be alcohol, a case that led to a settlement of more than $200,000. | That warning came the same month that a 20-year-old U-Va. student was arrested after ABC special agents mistook her purchase of sparkling water to be alcohol, a case that led to a settlement of more than $200,000. |
| Johnson’s arrest has sparked increased scrutiny of Virginia ABC’s law enforcement corps of 123 special agents, both on campus here and in Richmond. | Johnson’s arrest has sparked increased scrutiny of Virginia ABC’s law enforcement corps of 123 special agents, both on campus here and in Richmond. |
| ABC officials said late Friday that there were 41 agents working across the state on St. Patrick’s Day and the weekend before and that ABC agents made a total of nine arrests statewide. Two of those arrests were for possession of a fake ID, one was for disorderly conduct, one was for underage possession and five were for being drunk in public, meaning Johnson’s arrest was among just a very few during that enforcement period. | ABC officials said late Friday that there were 41 agents working across the state on St. Patrick’s Day and the weekend before and that ABC agents made a total of nine arrests statewide. Two of those arrests were for possession of a fake ID, one was for disorderly conduct, one was for underage possession and five were for being drunk in public, meaning Johnson’s arrest was among just a very few during that enforcement period. |
| His arrest also has brought racial tensions at U-Va. to the surface, giving voice to longstanding frustration at the elite public school. | His arrest also has brought racial tensions at U-Va. to the surface, giving voice to longstanding frustration at the elite public school. |
| Black students, shut out of U-Va. until the mid-20th century, often have faced challenges at a university founded in the antebellum South and steeped in traditions that trace back to its all-white era. Today, about 6 percent of the university’s 16,000 undergraduates are African American. Some say privately that they don’t feel comfortable at certain bars in the hangout area known as “The Corner,” or at some fraternity houses along Rugby Road. | Black students, shut out of U-Va. until the mid-20th century, often have faced challenges at a university founded in the antebellum South and steeped in traditions that trace back to its all-white era. Today, about 6 percent of the university’s 16,000 undergraduates are African American. Some say privately that they don’t feel comfortable at certain bars in the hangout area known as “The Corner,” or at some fraternity houses along Rugby Road. |
| There was controversy here in 2004, when Charlottesville police asked black men to voluntarily provide DNA samples as part of a search for a serial rapist. In 2007, the university’s governing board approved a resolution of regret for U-Va.’s use of slaves in the 19th century. That board is now led by the university’s first African American rector, George Keith Martin. | There was controversy here in 2004, when Charlottesville police asked black men to voluntarily provide DNA samples as part of a search for a serial rapist. In 2007, the university’s governing board approved a resolution of regret for U-Va.’s use of slaves in the 19th century. That board is now led by the university’s first African American rector, George Keith Martin. |
| At the campus meeting Friday, students pressed Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo about whether his force had been properly trained to de-escalate tensions when police find themselves in confrontations with civilians. | At the campus meeting Friday, students pressed Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo about whether his force had been properly trained to de-escalate tensions when police find themselves in confrontations with civilians. |
| “Why has there been a pattern of escalation, especially on black bodies?” one student asked. | “Why has there been a pattern of escalation, especially on black bodies?” one student asked. |
| Longo said his officers are trained to “de-escalate,” depending on the situation. | Longo said his officers are trained to “de-escalate,” depending on the situation. |
| Unsatisfied, students raised their fists and shouted: “Answer the question we asked!” | Unsatisfied, students raised their fists and shouted: “Answer the question we asked!” |
| “Let me try it again,” Longo said. “I tried hard the first time, and I wasn’t successful the first time, and I’m sorry.” He said the police get extensive training in dealing with crowds but that he was open to ideas to improve those lessons. | “Let me try it again,” Longo said. “I tried hard the first time, and I wasn’t successful the first time, and I’m sorry.” He said the police get extensive training in dealing with crowds but that he was open to ideas to improve those lessons. |
| Longo’s force did not participate in Johnson’s arrest. But Charlottesville police were called to the scene after the altercation. Longo said he will review what, if anything, they could have done differently in that situation. | Longo’s force did not participate in Johnson’s arrest. But Charlottesville police were called to the scene after the altercation. Longo said he will review what, if anything, they could have done differently in that situation. |
| “What happened this past week has shaken your trust,” Longo said. “It’s my responsibility as police chief in this city to regain it. I commit to you today to do that.” | “What happened this past week has shaken your trust,” Longo said. “It’s my responsibility as police chief in this city to regain it. I commit to you today to do that.” |
| Students also asked Longo whether police paid more attention to the investigation of the abduction of white U-Va. sophomore Hannah Graham last year than the disappearance of Dashad “Sage” Smith, a Charlottesville-area black teenager, who disappeared in 2012. | Students also asked Longo whether police paid more attention to the investigation of the abduction of white U-Va. sophomore Hannah Graham last year than the disappearance of Dashad “Sage” Smith, a Charlottesville-area black teenager, who disappeared in 2012. |
| Graham’s remains were found on an abandoned property in Albemarle County after an intensive search. The case, which resulted in a murder charge against a black suspect, Jesse L. Matthew Jr., drew huge national media coverage. Smith’s case garnered little attention outside Charlottesville. | Graham’s remains were found on an abandoned property in Albemarle County after an intensive search. The case, which resulted in a murder charge against a black suspect, Jesse L. Matthew Jr., drew huge national media coverage. Smith’s case garnered little attention outside Charlottesville. |
| Black students at Friday’s meeting asked Longo if after Smith’s disappearance he “had cried at a press conference,” referencing Longo’s tears in front of television cameras last fall after Graham went missing. | Black students at Friday’s meeting asked Longo if after Smith’s disappearance he “had cried at a press conference,” referencing Longo’s tears in front of television cameras last fall after Graham went missing. |
| Longo said police continue to investigate the Smith case. But he acknowledged: “No, sir, I did not cry.” | Longo said police continue to investigate the Smith case. But he acknowledged: “No, sir, I did not cry.” |
| After about an hour, student leaders announced they had no further questions. Students who had gathered in the aisles turned abruptly and walked out of the building, chanting, “Black lives matter!” That rallying cry has been heard around the country amid debate over police actions in Ferguson, Mo., New York and elsewhere. | After about an hour, student leaders announced they had no further questions. Students who had gathered in the aisles turned abruptly and walked out of the building, chanting, “Black lives matter!” That rallying cry has been heard around the country amid debate over police actions in Ferguson, Mo., New York and elsewhere. |
| Outside, the students marched to the African-American Affairs office across campus. Their chant shifted: “No justice, no peace! No racist police!” | Outside, the students marched to the African-American Affairs office across campus. Their chant shifted: “No justice, no peace! No racist police!” |
| Johnson, the junior from Chicago at the center of the storm, was in their ranks. His wounds were visible on his forehead. He made no public statements. | Johnson, the junior from Chicago at the center of the storm, was in their ranks. His wounds were visible on his forehead. He made no public statements. |
| “Though what happened to Martese is horrible, it has been a problem in Charlottesville long before this,” Frazier told the crowd. “If we don’t do something right now, we are going to have it long after.” | “Though what happened to Martese is horrible, it has been a problem in Charlottesville long before this,” Frazier told the crowd. “If we don’t do something right now, we are going to have it long after.” |
| The demonstrators declined requests for interviews. | The demonstrators declined requests for interviews. |
| University officials who attended the meeting also declined to comment. University officials have voiced outrage over ABC’s handling of the incident, saying that it appeared the police used excessive force. | University officials who attended the meeting also declined to comment. University officials have voiced outrage over ABC’s handling of the incident, saying that it appeared the police used excessive force. |
| “Getting arrested shouldn’t involve getting stitches,” Sullivan said Thursday. | “Getting arrested shouldn’t involve getting stitches,” Sullivan said Thursday. |
| Abenezer Eregetie, 20, a sophomore from Northern Virginia who is African American, attended the meeting but did not walk out with the others. He said the demonstration was “pretty bold. They needed to be bold.” | Abenezer Eregetie, 20, a sophomore from Northern Virginia who is African American, attended the meeting but did not walk out with the others. He said the demonstration was “pretty bold. They needed to be bold.” |
| Eregetie said the Johnson case has galvanized the campus to confront questions about racial bias. “The bloody face was what triggered all this,” he said. With underage drinking so prevalent in a college town, he said, “police should have better things to do, rather than going and picking on one black guy.” | Eregetie said the Johnson case has galvanized the campus to confront questions about racial bias. “The bloody face was what triggered all this,” he said. With underage drinking so prevalent in a college town, he said, “police should have better things to do, rather than going and picking on one black guy.” |
| Laura Vozzella in Richmond and Justin Jouvenal and Rachel Weiner in Washington contributed to this report. | Laura Vozzella in Richmond and Justin Jouvenal and Rachel Weiner in Washington contributed to this report. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Agency that arrested black U-Va. student drawing new scrutiny | Agency that arrested black U-Va. student drawing new scrutiny |
| Racial tensions flare at U-Va. after arrest of black student | Racial tensions flare at U-Va. after arrest of black student |
| U-Va. student leaders, police discuss racial tensions on campus | U-Va. student leaders, police discuss racial tensions on campus |