The Stream

10-year-old child allegedly pepper-sprayed by US police

Investigation ordered into incident, which took place at a Minneapolis protest.

A 10-year-old was allegedly pepper-sprayed by a police officer on Wednesday during a protest in the US state of Minnesota. The protest was held over news that Madison, Wisconsin police officer Matt Kenny would not face criminal charges over the March killing of unarmed 19-year-old Tony Robinson.

 

The child was among others who were sprayed by the chemical irritant during the demonstration, according to the group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis. “We feel it necessary to highlight the fact that MPD [Minneapolis Police Department] took violent action against a protest full of predominantly Black youth, a departure from previously ‘peaceful’ support from MPD officers at other marches and rallies”, organisers said in a statement

Minneapolis Police did not confirm whether an officer used pepper spray on demonstrators, but Police Chief Janee Harteau ordered an investigation into the incident. 
 

In the video below, the child recounts the incident [Warning: Video includes explicit language]:

 

https://player.vimeo.com/video/127797781