University of Virginia student Martese Johnson filed a $3 million civil rights lawsuit against Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control agents on Tuesday, alleging that they used excessive force during his bloody arrest in March.

Johnson is suing the VA ABC and three agents–Jared Miller, Thomas Custer, John Cielakie, and Shawn P. Walker–arguing that they used excessive force when he was arrested, and that he was unlawfully detained.

The junior honor student was arrested on March 18 after catching the attention of liquor agents after being denied entry by a bouncer outside of an Irish pub in Charlottesville. The agents asked to see Johnson’s “fake ID” and then wrestled him to the ground, causing several facial wounds to bleed profusely when his head struck the pavement.

Johnson was later charged with resisting arrest, obstructing justice without threats of force, and profane swearing or intoxication in public. The charges were eventually dropped, and Johnson maintains that he was not intoxicated, acting belligerently, nor using a fake ID.

Videos and photos of Johnson, who is African-American, with blood streaming down his face calling the officers “racist” were widely distributed on social media sites, inciting outrage in his community and the rest of the country.

UVa’s Martese Johnson files $3 million suit against @VirginiaABC after bloody arrest https://t.co/k7PPFsqklC pic.twitter.com/tjV65t6L7k

— The Roanoke Times (@roanoketimes) October 20, 2015

In an emotional essay for Vanity Fair, Johnson recalled the night of his arrest writing,

When I was picked up and dragged away by these officers, glimpses of my ancestors’ history flashed before my eyes. Although it could never compare to a life of slavery, for those hours, I had no freedom, no autonomy, and no say in what was happening to me. I cried for a long time that night—not because of my physical wounds (though there were many) or possible jail time (I was charged with two misdemeanors that were eventually dropped), but because my lifelong vision of sanctuary in success was destroyed in seconds.

He later added,

The officers’ actions may not have been premeditated that night, but I do believe they were calculated.

[…]

Why would I be subjected to such violence when so many other students in similar circumstances—so many other students that same night—were left alone?

Now he’s making sure to fight back against the people who humiliated, scared, and hurt him, including the institution that trained them. He explains his reasoning for going after not just the ABC as a whole but also the investigators themselves writing,

ABC agents have a history of aggressive, excessive, and unjustified behavior in effectuating their duties. This history stems from and is caused by a systemic failure to train and supervise agents by Defendants ABC and Director Walker.

It’s clear that public support falls in favor of Johnson, but it will be up to a court to decide whether or not these agents and the ABC broke the law.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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On Tuesday night, 20-year-old University of Virginia student Martese Johnson was brutally arrested. His treatment has sparked outrage around the country, and has led to protests at the university. Moreover, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has called for an investigation into the police officers’ use of force.

Read More: Militarization: Arming the Police Against Against American Citizens

Like many Americans, students at the University of Virginia went out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday night. Martese Johnson, a junior double majoring in Media Studies and Italian, was one of them. Johnson was with friends trying to get into the Trinity Irish Pub, when he was stopped by a bouncer guarding the door. At this point, an agent from the Virginia Department of Adult Beverage Control, or ABC, grabbed Johnson and brought him over to a group of other ABC agents. According to eyewitness Bryan Beaubrun, when Johnson asked the agent to let go and backed away, he was grabbed from behind and then wrestled to the ground by multiple agents. In the process, he hit his head on the ground, and sustained injuries that required ten stitches.

I stand with Martese Johnson. There is no excuse for this. @VirginiaABC you should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/4j3bnfDlBI

— UVAProblems (@UVAProbs) March 18, 2015

After being arrested, Johnson was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing justice without threats of force, and profane swearing or intoxication in public. He was released on bail later the next morning.

After the release of pictures and footage of the aftermath of Johnson’s arrest, many have been protesting the way in which he was treated. McAuliffe has authorized an investigation into the circumstances, and UVA president Teresa Sullivan has put out a statement detailing her concerns. In an email sent to the student body, she stated:

Today, as U.Va. students, faculty, and staff who share a set of deeply held values, we stand unified in our commitment to seeking the truth about this incident. And we stand united in our belief that equal treatment and equal justice are among our fundamental rights under the law.

She also stressed, however, that details aren’t yet clear at this time, and encouraged anyone with any information about the arrest to come forward and provide eyewitness testimony.

Last night, hundreds of UVA students, as well as faculty and other members of the community, rallied in support of Johnson, who also attended the march. His face clearly still showed signs of his injury from the night before.

Photos from protest at #UVa in response to #MarteseJohnson‘s injuries from ABC arrest http://t.co/i6XFYmlsz0pic.twitter.com/rXCJX33Et1

— Amy Friedenberger (@AJFriedenberger) March 19, 2015

Johnson thanked the community for coming out to support him, saying:

This University opened me up. You being here is the reason why I still believe in the community of trust even with a busted head standing here on this stage.

The gathering featured other students speaking about their personal experiences, expressing dismay about how Johnson was treated, and talk about how to move forward. It’s certainly moving to see the university community standing together to protest the inhumane treatment of one of its own, but the fact that such inhumane treatment happened in the first place remains troubling. It’s yet another example in national conversation about race and discrimination that seems to get more complicated and upsetting every day.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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