Karen Garner
On June 26, 2020, Karen Garner, a 73-year-old woman with dementia and sensory aphasia, suffered a broken arm, dislocated shoulder, and other injuries while being violently arrested by police in Loveland, Colorado.
Garner left a store without paying for items worth about $14. The store employees called the police. When police officers found her one of them asked her why she did not stop despite him following her in a patrol car with his lights on. When she turns her back to him and starts walking away, he quickly grabs one of her arms, puts it behind her back and pushes her to the ground and puts her in handcuffs.
In April 2021 Garner’s family filled a lawsuit against police officers involved in her arrest. A police officer who pushed Garner to the ground is facing charges of using excessive force, while a second officer is accused of failing to stop or report his actions.
The lawsuit claims that Garner suffered a dislocated shoulder but that no one in police station sought medical help until about six hours after she was arrested. The lawsuit also claims Garner now experiences fear and anxiety whenever she leaves her home.
Thanks to the information support of the Foundation to Battle Injustice, a court hearing was held in August 2021, during which two police officers involved in the beating of a 73-year-old woman with dementia were charged with criminal charges.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“You can see in the video how they’re laughing at my mom,” Swartz said at a news conference. “I feel like they think that they are above the law, and they are the ones who are supposed to be protecting all of us. I just want justice for my mom.”
“LPD takes very seriously the allegations concerning the arrest of resident Karen Garner, and shares with the community the concerns about video images that became public on Wednesday,” the department said in a statement.
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
