The Sweetwater city police have released videos of the incident that on Wednesday culminated in the violent arrest of a 61-year-old Cuban woman at the administrative office of the Li'l Abner Mobile Home Park, which is currently being demolished.
The images released include what is captured from the officer's body camera, as well as footage from a surveillance camera installed inside the location where the incident took place.
The videos show how Vivian Hernández refused to leave, sat down in a chair, and said that she was going to pay the rent.
Moments later, the police officer -identified as Lieutenant Brian Arias- came, grabbed her by the arms, lifted her forcefully, dragged her by the shoulders for several meters, and finally threw her to the ground to handcuff her.
A police spokesperson stated in remarks reported by Telemundo 51 that the tenant's resistance made a forced eviction necessary because the woman "was disturbing the peace" in the area.
However, local authorities assure that they are reviewing whether the regulations regarding the use of force were violated during the operation.
However, local civil rights groups have questioned the police response, which they consider disproportionate given that it involved an elderly person who, despite refusing to obey the police order, did so peacefully.
According to Vivian Hernández's account, the incident began when she went to the park's administrative office to pay her rent and express her dissatisfaction with the conditions arising from the demolition of several houses, a process that started this Wednesday.
"The dust lift was affecting families with asthma due to asbestos," Hernández stated in remarks to the aforementioned medium.
The woman recounted that when the officer threw her to the ground, he broke her glasses and caused "several bruises to her head," according to the medical evaluation she underwent after spending a night in jail.
The police have defended their actions, stating that Hernández resisted arrest, which forced the officers to use force to subdue her. However, Hernández claims that she was subjected to unnecessary violence.
So far, neither the mayor nor the police chief have made any comments on the matter.
Vivian Hernández is now facing charges of resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct.
For its part, Urban Group continues with the evictions, a process that has faced criticism due to its impact on hundreds of affected families.
A group of residents from the mobile home park protested Wednesday night in front of the Sweetwater City Hall due to the arrest of Vivian Hernández.
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