Activists are calling for additional action against Officer Alejandro Giraldo of the Miami-Dade Police Department, who was caught on camera last month showing excessive force towards Dyma Loving, a 26-year-old black woman from South Miami-Dade.
Activists from two human rights organizations delivered petitions with over 50,000 signatures to State Attorney Katherine Rundle’s office Tuesday demanding that Giraldo be fired and charged with assault.
“We’re hoping that the pressure from the community ... would really push the state attorney to press charges against the officers responsible for Dyma’s nightmare,” said senior campaign manager for Color of Change Marybeth Onyeukwu, after delivering the signatures. “Suspending the officer, that’s one step, but we want full accountability for the harm that’s been done to Dyma and her family.”
On March 5, Loving's friend, Adrianna Green, called police after a neighbor, a white man named Frank Tumm, threatened her and Loving with a shotgun. When Officer Giraldo arrived, he repeatedly questioned Loving instead.
Green recorded Giraldo forcefully grabbing Loving with his arms around her head and neck, tackling her to the ground, and then handcuffing her. Loving was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
After the video of the incident went viral, Giraldo was suspended for showing excessive force and the charges against Loving were dropped. Loving announced earlier this month she is suing the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Activists said Loving will never trust police again.
The incident has garnered national attention, with signatures coming in from people around the country, according to activists.
“What the nation saw instead was a brutal attack on a black woman by officers who were mandated to protect and serve,” said Natalie Green, spokesperson for the women’s advocacy organization UltraViolet during a press conference Tuesday. “Her crime was asking for help.”
Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly stated Loving called the police to her home on March 5. Her friend, Adrianna Green, called the police. We regret the error.
