As students gathered on the University of Virginia campus to protest the bloody arrest of one of their own Wednesday evening, the black undergrad that was allegedly brutalized by Alcohol Beverage Control agents stood amongst the crowd, wiping away tears.
At some point during his arrest Wednesday morning, Martese Johnson, who was brought to the ground by Virginia officials after his ID was rejected at a pub, was injured. His head was slashed open and blood trickled down his face as officers handcuffed him.
A photo and video of the incident has been widely shared on social media. The 20-year-old has been charged with obstruction of justice without force and profane swearing and/or intoxication in public, but not using a fake ID, according to his attorney.
Martese Johnson in Attendance at the rally. He began to cry and wipe away tears as crowd cheers in support. @Newsplex — Stephon Dingle CBS19 (@Stephon_Dingle) Mar 18 2015
Speakers during the rally--which attracted a massive crowd, according to reporters on the ground-- railed against excessive force and racism in general, describing Johnson as an honor student who deserved better. Johnson, who is majoring in Italian and Media Studies, is the vice chair for community relations on the school's Honor Committee, according to a statement from his attorney.
Amphitheater full, and people keep coming. #JusticeForMartese #BlackLivesMatter #UVA — Eva Latterner (@emlatterner) Mar 18 2015
"We are here for Martese" pic.twitter.com/TYdI8XAZCk— WUVA Online (@WUVAonline) March 19, 2015
If we don't get it SHUT IT DOWN pic.twitter.com/drPSvzhx3t— RŸ (@marytoppdoe) March 19, 2015
University students continued their protest in the streets of Charlottesville, marching with signs that said "Black Lives Matter" and shouting "No Justice! No Peace!" Their counterparts at Virginia Commonwealth University did the same.
The slogans have been widely used during anti-police brutality rallies that swept the nation following high-profile killings of black men by white police officers, including Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York.
"Over the course of the past year, members of our community have expressed dismay and frustration at national events involving the excessive use of force by police officers," the University of Virginia's student council wrote in a statement. "Now this issue lands closer to home."
Johnson's supporters on Twitter used the hashtag, #JusticeforMartese, a nod to the calls for judicial punishment for police officers who had harmed other black men. Local grand juries declined to indict the officers responsible for the deaths of Brown and Garner.
Some celebrities who have been vocal during other anti-excessive force demonstrations also chimed in on Twitter, including MC Hammer and Russell Simmons.
To the students at UVA, protest, protest, protest. To the police, recognize their first amendment right and be peaceful. #JusticeForMartese— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) Mar 18 2015
During the evening, protesters got in verbal altercations with police, who at points handcuffed some demonstrators.
#UVA #BlackUVaDemands pic.twitter.com/JOmzKcZ4k9— Danaya: BuyTAAN331 (@danayasworld) March 19, 2015
A large group also made their way to a Charlottesville Police station to continue protesting. The Ferguson Police Department has long been a gathering place for demonstrators there, too.
The officers involved in Johnson's arrest have been placed on administrative duty. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has requested an investigation into the incident by Virginia State Police.