Shocking footage of Arizona State University assistant professor Ersula Ore being manhandled by police officers has surfaced.
The footage shows Ore being arrested this past May for allegedly walking down the middle of a street to avoid construction. The officer asks Ore for her ID. She refuses. “I have no problem abiding by the law, but all I’m asking, do you have to speak to me in such a disrespectful manner?” she says.
A scuffle ensues and Ore is thrown to the ground. When she gets up her dress is hiked up and she kicks the officer in the shin. “She was exposed and told the officer she was exposed,” her lawyer said. “Her dress was up; the officer was reaching toward her anatomy. She felt uncomfortable with hands going there.”
Ore has been charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
During an appearance on CNN’s New Day, Ore defended her actions, saying, “I think I did what I was supposed to do. I was respectful. I asked for clarification. I asked to be treated with respect, and that was it.”
The university says they have “found that the officer involved did not violate protocol and no evidence was found of racial motivation by the ASU Police Department officers involved.”
Ore’s supporters have started a change.org petition asking for an apology from ASU’s police department.
What do you think of this unfortunate incident?