The man’s lawyer announced this to the AFP news agency yesterday. Her client Donald Neely is „not just about the money“. It is about what is „wrong and right for all people“.
Neely was arrested in Galveston in August 2019 for trespassing on property. He was handcuffed and the officers then attached the rope. The officers on horses then led him through the city center, where several people took photos of the incident.
Memories of racist violence
Recordings of the incident distributed on the Internet caused great outrage. The images brought back memories of racist violence in US history, such as the chaining of slaves and black lynchings. In the current complaint, Neely described his treatment as „extreme and egregious“. For him it felt as if he was being brought before the slaves, it says.
At the time of the incident, Neely, who is suffering from mental problems, was homeless. Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale apologized at the time for the officers‘ actions. These had shown „poor judgment“ and „unnecessary shame“ inflicted on Neely. Nonetheless, the police chief emphasized that the method was a „trained technique“ which in certain cases was the „best approach“.
Issue in US election campaign
The debate about excessive police violence against blacks has increased significantly in the United States in recent months. Since the killing of the African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the end of May, protests have taken place, some of which lead to violence. The issue also plays a big role in the campaign for the November 3 presidential election, in which incumbent Donald Trump competes against Democrat Joe Biden.
