Viral video of Arizona cheerleader slammed to ground by police and punched draws national outcry

Nationally recognized civil rights attorneys are questioning the circumstances around the viral video of Eryn Bonner, an Arizona State University cheerleader, who’s seen appearing to be shoved, slammed to the ground and punched by Tempe, Arizona, police after she tried to stop them from arresting her boyfriend.

Ben Crump, who has represented multiple families in civil rights cases, including those of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, posted a copy of the video on social media and asked, “Did this encounter really warrant this level of force?!” He added that officers “must prioritize restraint and de-escalation whenever possible.”

In a separate posting, Lee Merritt, who represented the family of slain jogger Ahmaud Arbery, included photos of bruises under Bonner’s eyes. He said the ongoing internal review of her arrest should “examine whether Bonner imposed an immediate threat” and “whether force against her was necessary.”

The Maricopa County attorney declined to bring charges against Bonner, 21, over the July 19 confrontation. The city later charged her with disorderly conduct and interfering with/hindering police, both misdemeanors.

Edited videos released by police show Bonner trying to stop bicycle patrol officers from arresting her boyfriend when an officer, telling her to “back up,” shoves her…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health