LYNN — Two city protests centered around police brutality and systemic racism are planned for the next two weekends.
The first protest, planned for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Lynn Commons, stems from the arrests of three black men by the Lynn Police Department on June 15.
Two of the men, Alexandros Armand, 26, and Victor White, 32, both of Lynn, work at Tufts Dining Services, and are members of Unite Here Local 26, the labor union that is organizing the protest, which will end at the Lynn Police Department.
The three men claim they were “unlawfully arrested, assaulted and falsely charged” by Lynn Police officers who were sent to investigate a noise complaint at one of their homes, according to an event flyer.
“We were wrongfully arrested,” said White. “I want the charges dropped and I want the police held accountable for their actions.”
White said he was with his co-worker, Armand, and neighbor, Scott Reed, 55, shortly before midnight, when he was arrested by the Lynn Police. He claims they were not given an indication as to why they were being arrested.
“They were very aggressive,” said White. “They didn’t give much information. They really didn’t ask too many questions. They used racial slurs on us and physical force and they need to be held accountable for their actions.”
On Thursday, the Lynn Police Department issued a statement about the incident and provided further details surrounding the three arrests.
“While the Lynn Police Department has not received a formal complaint regarding the incident, we have seen many allegations made on social media,” the department said. “We immediately launched an internal investigation into the arrests.
“After the internal investigation was opened, one officer voluntarily resigned from the department. The investigation is still active and when it is completed, the matter will be turned over to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.”
A Lynn Police spokesman declined to name the officer who resigned, citing the ongoing investigation
Shortly before midnight on June 15, Lynn Police received a complaint regarding a loud group that was drinking and smoking marijuana on Brightwood Terrace, according to the statement.
When officers responded to the area, they found three men drinking alcohol in public and noticed several empty alcohol containers around the individuals. When responding officers told the men that it was illegal to drink in public, they became argumentative, police said.
After one man began to swear at officers and refused to cooperate, the officers made the decision to place them under arrest for violating the city ordinance pertaining to drinking in public. Two of the men resisted arrest at the scene, but were taken into custody, police said.
Police said the three men were transported directly to the police station, where they were booked on various charges. During the booking process, one of the men remained uncooperative, which resulted in a use of force in the cellblock, police said.
Armand, of Malden, was charged with drinking in public, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Reed, of Lynn, was charged with violation of the city knife ordinance and drinking in public.
White, of Lynn, was charged with violation of the open container law, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery on a police officer.
White said approximately 12 police cruisers responded to his home for the noise complaint. A Lynn Police spokesman said two officers had initially responded, but more officers were requested because the men were being uncooperative.
Regarding Friday’s protest, White said he wasn’t sure who was the driving force behind it, but thinks it was prompted because “people are tired.”
Carlos Aramayo, president of Unite Here Local 26, said the union was “very disturbed” about the incident and was looking to support its members in any way possible, which includes potential legal assistance.
“We, as an organization, have consistently over many, many years stood against racism and police violence,” said Aramayo. “I think we feel very strongly that deeds are more important than words. And so, we think these are members of ours and they’re in this very difficult situation and we need to do everything as a union to help them out.”
A second protest, unrelated to last week’s arrests, is planned for next Saturday, July 4 at Wyoma Square, according to a Facebook post from Neil Whittredge.
People are being directed to meet in the Manning Field parking lot at 12 p.m. From there, protesters will march toward Wyoma Square and occupy it for eight minutes and 46 seconds in remembrance of George Floyd, who died at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer, according to the post.
Whittredge said the protest will also be focused on demonstrating their demands of the Lynn Police Department. He said the group has “no intentions” of working with the police department, but police are welcome to protest with them if they truly want to be involved.