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Pennsylvania cop KNEELS on man's neck during arrest as bystanders cry out 'he can't breathe' in scenes reminiscent of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis

A Pennsylvania police department has come under fire after a harrowing video emerged over the weekend of an Allentown police officer kneel...

A Pennsylvania police department has come under fire after a harrowing video emerged over the weekend of an Allentown police officer kneeling down on a man’s neck during an arrest.
The footage circulated across social media on Saturday night showing a group of three police officers attempting to arrest a man outside of St. Luke’s Hospital–Sacred Heart on West Chew Street in Allentown.
In the video, which is less than 30 seconds long, one officer appears to be using his arm and elbow on the man’s back to restrain him, before pressing his knee into the man’s neck, prompting the suspect to cry out in pain.
The scene evoked similar images to those seen in the police killing of George Floyd in May, who died gasping for breath as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt down on his neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his cries of ‘I can’t breathe’. 
The footage circulated across social media on Saturday night showing a group of three police officers attempting to arrest a man outside of St. Luke’s Hospital–Sacred Heart on West Chew Street in Allentown
The footage circulated across social media on Saturday night showing a group of three police officers attempting to arrest a man outside of St. Luke’s Hospital–Sacred Heart on West Chew Street in Allentown
In the video, which is less than 30 seconds long, one officer appears to be using his arm and elbow on the man’s back to restrain him, before pressing his knee into the man’s neck, causing the suspect to cry out in pain.
The cop is seen appearing to place his knee into the man's neck
In the video, which is less than 30 seconds long, one officer appears to be using his arm and elbow on the man’s back to restrain him, before pressing his knee into the man’s neck, causing the suspect to cry out in pain.
Pennsylvania cop places knee on man's neck during violent arrest
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In Saturday’s incident, concerned bystanders are heard calling out ‘they’re on his neck’ and ‘he can’t breathe’. The officer continues to press his knee into the man’s neck regardless of the cries before the footage cuts out.
The man who filmed the incident, Justan Parker, said his takeaway from the video is that ‘Black and brown lives don’t matter to APD or to the city.’
In a statement, the Allentown Police Department confirmed it is aware of the video and is ‘actively investigating’ the incident.
‘We are aware, we are actively investigating, and depending on what we can get done today, we may have additional information regarding the incident released later this evening,’ a spokesperson said.
Earlier this month, the police department banned officers from using choke holds and other neck restraints.
It’s unclear why the officers were attempting to restrain the man. Police have so far offered no further details about the suspect, including his condition.
Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family of George Floyd, is leading the charge of outrage online, calling for the officer to be publicly named.
‘Allentown Police held down this man's face to the pavement and then one of its officers placed their knee on his neck!! This happened yesterday and is exactly what led to #GeorgeFloyd's death. We need this officers name and bade# [sic] NOW #ICantBreathe.’

In a statement, the Allentown Police Department confirmed it is aware of the video and is ‘actively investigating’ the incident.
In a statement, the Allentown Police Department confirmed it is aware of the video and is ‘actively investigating’ the incident.
The scene evoked similar images to those seen in the police killing of George Floyd in May, who died gasping for breath under the knee of Officer Derek Chauvin who knelt down on his neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his cries of ‘I can’t breathe’.
George Floyd's fatal arrest
The scene evoked similar images to those seen in the police killing of George Floyd in May, who died gasping for breath under the knee of Officer Derek Chauvin (seen right) who knelt down on his neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his cries of ‘I can’t breathe’.
Hundreds of local residents gathered in downtown Allentown on Saturday night in protest against the scenes depicted in the video.
Mayor Ray O’Connell and Allentown police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. both attended the demonstration to answer questions and confirm they had seen the footage.
Speaking to protesters, O’Connell called the footage ‘disturbing’, but called for patience as he said ‘I think we need to gather all the facts and information before we go forward.’
Granitz, meanwhile, confirmed there would be an investigation.
‘We’re going to take a look at it. We’re going to go through everything. And we’re going to give you an update as soon as we can,’ the police chief said, according to the Morning Call.
Protesters began gathering at 7th and Hamilton at around 11pm on Saturday night. 
The demonstration was organized by Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, who posted a call to action on Facebook hours earlier.
‘Where are we going to make it loud and clear that this is not OK?’ he said. ‘If this is not OK to you, meet me on 7th and Hamilton, right now.’
Mayor Ray O’Connell and Allentown police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. both attended the demonstration to answer questions and confirm they had seen the footage.
O'Connell called the video 'disturbing'
Mayor Ray O’Connell and Allentown police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. both attended the demonstration to answer questions and confirm they had seen the footage both seen left). O'Connell called the video 'disturbing'
The crowd marched over to the police precinct on 10th and Hamilton, chanting ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’.
The protests remained peaceful and no police incidents were reported. 
A similar use of force depicted in Saturday’s incident led to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. 
The death of the 46-year-old, who had been accused of attempting to use a counterfeit $20, has since sparked continuous global protests against police brutality and institutional racism.
The group Black Lives Matter to the Lehigh Valley is demanding for police to release more information regarding the video. They say they are planning more protests in the town later this week.

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