Encampment protesters arrested by Hamilton police describe injuries, SIU investigating
CBC
Members of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN) and other advocates, who were arrested by police during protests last week, described their experience during a media conference Monday morning.
Those facing charges allege they were left with bruises, scrapes, sprains and concussions, among other injuries, when they were taken into custody.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which probes police-related incidents that result in serious injuries, is now investigating.
Videos and photos captured during the protests show officers tackling several members of the group outside the central police station on Friday and an officer pinning a woman to the ground with their knee at J.C. Beemer Park on Wednesday.
Rowa Mohamed identified herself on Monday as the person with the police officer kneeling on top of them.
She said she was yanked to the ground and her hijab pulled off "as the man put the full weight of his knee and his body onto my neck and my head."
Police previously said the officer was using a "shoulder pin" to gain control for an arrest, adding the tactic is taught at the Ontario Police College.
Mohamed disputed that, saying she saw stars while the officer was on top of her and her neck was still sore from where the knee had been placed.
"Don't let them say it was a shoulder pin," she said. "It never is."
Her partner, Jordan Grace, was also arrested that day.
"I was banged up, bruised and suffered a concussion," he said.
Hamilton police said it became aware of the allegations linked to the J.C. Beemer protest this morning and notified the SIU for further investigation.
Police said they couldn't provide any comment as the matter is with the SIU and before the courts.
A spokesperson for the SIU confirmed it had invoked its mandate.
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