Rainbow PUSH Calls On Feds To Investigate Arrest Of College Student From Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is calling for a civil rights investigation into the videotaped run-in that a 20-year-old Chicago man had Alcoholic Beverage Control Agents at the University of Virginia, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.
Jonathan Jackson, the national spokesman for Rainbow PUSH, says what happened to Martese Johnson, who needed ten stitches to close a gash in his head after the scuffle, warrants a federal investigation.
"It goes to show you how pervasive this issue is on violence that is going on against young African-American males, not only violence that they have done against themselves but law enforcement officials," Jackson said. "There are many great enforcement officials, but this is something that needs to be dealt with, we believe at the national level."
Rainbow PUSH attorney Janette Wilson says the incident could happen on any campus.
"We're calling for students in Illinois and the Chicagoland area to meet us here next Saturday as we rally our students," Wilson said. "This is their challenge for the 21st Century."
Virginia State Police are conducting an investigation into the incident. Wilson said it is part of a pattern happening around the country and it will only stop she said if the Justice Department gets involved.