Three Arrested During May Day Occupy Protests
MIAMI (CBS4) - Police arrested three Occupy Miami protesters Tuesday on the streets of Downtown Miami.
The group was marching through the street but police say two young men we're obstructing the public right of way. Rolando Prieto, 23, was also charged with inciting a riot. Brian Tangherlini, 22, was also charged with resisting arrest with violence.
The third young man, 24-year-old Alfredo Quintana, was later arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. Police say he punched and kicked them.
Just moments before his arrest, in an interview wi CBS4 News, Quintana said police were using excessive force during the Occupy protests in Downtown Miami.
"I was instantly met with a fist to my eye," Quintana told CBS4's Gio Benitez as Quintana showed a bruise and cut near the eye,
That bruise, he said, was caused by a Miami police officer. In a police report, the officer said he did hit Quintana, but also said Quintana hit him and other officers several times.
"Officers came into contact with them and it appears they were acting somewhat disorderly," said Kenia Reyes of the Miami Police Department.
But Quintana says all of the protesters were acting peacefully.
"It's funny things that provoke people," said Quintana.
Quintana was arrested once before in January during another Occupy protest. He was charged with resisting arrest without violence back then, but that charge was dropped.
