Hispanic leaders are set to gather Thursday morning to show support for a Phoenix City Councilman wrested to the ground and handcuffed by a Phoenix police officer last week.
The group plans to meet in downtown Phoenix at 11 a.m. to express their support for City Councilman Michael Johnson.
Johnson said Tuesday he is the subject of a criminal investigation after scuffling with a Phoenix police officer last Friday. Johnson said he was trying to check on a neighbor whose house was on fire when he was confronted and detained.
The officer claims Johnson assaulted him first.
Phoenix attorney Danny Ortega said racial profiling and excessive use of force by Phoenix police has increased in both the Latino and black communities.
