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US police officer wrestles skateboarder to the ground and pepper sprays him, possibly using 'banned chokehold'

The 22-year-old posted the video online, writing "My name is Yibin Mu and I'm tired of abusive cops."

Charlie Atkin
Thursday 29 October 2015 16:40 GMT
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Us officer wrestles skateboarder to ground, possibly using 'banned chokehold'

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Video has emerged of a New York City officer wrestling a skateboarder in the ground before allegedly using 'a banned chokehold'.

A NYPD officer can be seen forcing Yibin Mu to the ground after aggressively putting his arms around him.

He then sits on Mu and pepper sprays him as the skateboarder asks "What did I do wrong? What's my crime?"

In 2014, The NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board recommended the NYPD enforce a chokehold ban after the move came under scrutiny with the death of Eric Garner.

Garner's death was partially attributed to being put in a chokehold for about 15 seconds.

In June of this year Commissioner Bill Bratton told a hearing there is "a general prohibition" over its use.

22-year-old Mu was arrested at Columbus Circle, where skateboarding is reportedly prohibited.

A spokesman for the NYPD told the Gothamist that six signs in the area make the ban on skateboarding clear and that the defendant "fought with the officer" after refusing to sit down.

Mu wrote alongside the posted video, "Without warning, the police officer used one hand to grab my forearm and the other hand to grab the back of my neck. He then put me in a chokehold and this is what happened next. I was non-aggressive the entire time. My name is Yibin Mu and I'm tired of abusive cops."

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