Protestors seek apology from MPD, firing of officers in wrongful arrest case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Justice for Jamil.

A Memphis family says their loved one was wrongly arrested by police. They want an apology from the Memphis Police Department, and that’s not the only demand made during a protest on Friday.

At the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street, protestors shouted: “Justice for Jamil” and “Whose city? Our city!”

Supporters said they want charges dropped against Jamil Ibrahim, a man who was arrested May 27 after he called Memphis police to report he’d found a bag of bullets behind his business.

The responding officer, said family members, mistook Ibrahim for a wanted man.

”He told them there’s no warrant for arrest on his behalf,” said protestor Nabil Bayakly, “and she kept on insisting there is warrant for his arrest, and he kept insisting, no, it wasn’t him, she was making a mistake.”

Ibrahim and three of his brothers were arrested after an altercation when other officers arrived on the scene.

Protestors accused MPD of police brutality. Ibrahim, they said, still has stitches, bruises, and injuries from the incident.

On Tuesday, June 6, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office dismissed charges against the three brothers. Ibrahim still faces two counts of misdemeanor assault on a first responder.

“Frankly, based on our staff’s review of the video and what we have found so far,” said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, “we have some concerns about both Mr. Ibrahim’s behavior in the altercation, and also the arresting officers’ behavior.”

DA Mulroy says MPD Chief CJ Davis told him an internal investigation is now underway.

Protestors said not only do they want an apology from Chief Davis, but they also want the six officers involved to be fired.

“We need to get the community out here to know that police brutality is real,” said Bayakly. “Police brutality is alive in this city. And it’s going after minorities of all types. This must stop. And the police must protect and serve.”

There is cell phone video of the incident, but the family said they are waiting to release it until they retain an attorney and sue.

At last check, no lawsuit had been filed.

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