New Haven, Conn., hosts a massive parade on or near St. Patrick’s Day each year, when residents from the city’s largely segregated population come together–and when police presence is always high. This year was no different, but a brutal arrest following a fight at a fast food joint drew attention to New Haven in a new way.
Fifteen-year-old Teandrea Cornelius, who is black, was handcuffed and pressed against a vehicle when New Haven police officer Joshua Smereczynsky, who is white, slammed her to the ground face first. The incident was caught on video:
Following protests, the city agreed to take Smereczynsky off street patrol. And, on Tuesday evening, Chief Dean Esserman personally apologized to Cornelius:
Smereczynsky is now under an internal investigation, but New Haven Register reports that Barbara Fair, who’s been leading protests, wants "a completely independent board" to get to the bottom of what happened at this year’s parade.