A video shared online on the afternoon of Oct. 26 is yet another reminder that the United States has a deep problem with police brutality, and particularly towards black citizens.
The video appears to have been shot inside a classroom of Spring Valley High School in Richland County, South Carolina and shows a policeman assaulting a female student, grabbing her by the arm and then throwing her to the ground with her chair. The extent of the sudden violence against the unarmed young woman is shocking.
Local television station wistv.com, which published two videos (from two different perspectives) of the confrontation, reports that school officials and county sheriff Leon Lott have confirmed the incident took place in the school, and that Lott has said the officer was acting in response to the student’s refusal to leave the class.
Lott told wistv.com that the video shows the young woman resisting, although the video does not appear to show violence on her part.
Quartz has contacted both Spring Valley High School and the office of Leon Lott for comment. This post will be updated with any additional information.