At Least 9 Arrested in Rock Hill Protests Over Arrest of Brothers Seen in Viral Video

Nine people have reportedly been arrested amid protests over a viral video showing police officers from Rock Hill, South Carolina violently arresting Ricky and Travis Price, two local Black siblings.

A second night of protests in the city led Black Lives Matter and other racial justice protesters to the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD). Police arrested nine individuals during the protest for various charges including blocking roadways, disorderly conduct and two driving charges, WJZY reported.

Thursday night's protest reportedly began to wind down by 9 p.m. local time. In Wednesday night's protest, demonstrators set fire to a tree outside of the police department. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. Protesters also threw objects at police in riot gear, WSOC-TV reported.

The protests began Wednesday night after a video showing the June 23 arrest of the Price brothers' went viral on Facebook.

On June 23, RHPD officers pulled over Ricky Price's 2017 black Ford Mustang after he allegedly made an unlawful turn and lane change. Based on the RHPD's "previous interactions" with Ricky Price, officers called a drug-sniffing dog to smell his vehicle, the RHPD said in a statement.

Officers arrested Ricky Price after they allegedly found two bags of marijuana, a bag of crack-cocaine and a 9mm pistol in his vehicle. During the search, Ricky Price called his brother, Travis Price, who arrived at the scene.

Police said that Travis Price used his body to bump officers backward while attempting to reach his brother at the scene. Police also said that Ricky Price tried to escape while removing jewelry from his body. Ricky Price had hoped to hand his jewelry to his brother before being taken to jail.

Cell phone video captured an officer pushing Travis Price to the ground and bending his arm behind his back while driving a knee into his back. The video also showed Ricky Price struggling with police while the police dog snapped at him. Several officers then tackled Ricky Price to the ground and punched his face and legs while restraining him.

An RHPD statement said that Travis Price had refused to comply with police commands to put his hands behind his back. The statement also said that Ricky Price had thrown punches at officers. Police said that the dog was "deployed as a display of force to gain compliance" but didn't bite anyone.

The statement mentioned that Ricky Price received medical care at the Piedmont Medical Center after emergency medical service professionals tended to his injuries at the police station.

Police charged Travis Price with hindering officers. Police charged Ricky Price with possession with intent to distribute crack-cocaine and marijuana, unlawful carrying and possession of a firearm by a former convict as well as resisting arrest. A judge granted Travis Price bond but denied it to Ricky Price because of his numerous charges.

The RHPD has placed two officers involved in the arrest on administrative leave. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has begun an independent investigation into the arrests. The RHPD hasn't yet released officer body camera footage.

Price's attorney, Justin Bamberg, said that Ricky Price sustained a broken nose and is using a wheelchair. Bamberg condemned protester violence, but he also condemned the violence that police used during the brothers' arrest.

"There is no reason for the level of force we saw on that video," Bamberg said. "Somehow [law enforcement] forgot that just because you think someone broke the law, that you're going to arrest them, that you're also going to punish them in the process, and that's not how things work in America."

Norma Gray, president of the Rock Hill NAACP, the local chapter of the national Black advocacy organization, urged protesters and community members to remain peaceful as the investigation continues, WSOC-TV reported.

"We called for transparency, and we've been given transparency," she said, noting that her chapter has worked closely with the police chief for years.

The York County Democratic Party issued a statement agreeing with a statement and demands made by a group called Moms Against Racism (MAR).

"We witnessed (via live video online) Rock Hill police officers brutalize Ricky Roderick Price for allegedly making an illegal turn and changing lanes unlawfully," MAR's statement said. "If true, these are merely fineable offenses. They are not cause for officers to ask someone to step out of their vehicle nor are they probable cause for police to search the vehicle."

MAR has demanded called for the Rock Hill NAACP and the Citizens Review Board view all police body camera footage. MAR also called for the immediate suspension of all officers, a timely and transparent investigation and termination of any officers who violated the law or RHPD policies.

The group has also called for the immediate release of the Price brothers with all charges against them dropped. The group also wants Ricky Price's car returned to him and all incident-related medical care covered at no charge to the arrestees.

Newsweek contacted Bamberg for comment.