I find it very difficult to put words to a video that was taken only 2 days ago and has already caused a flurry of controversy and comments on YouTube.

The incident took place at 11:30 p.m. in the UCLA Student Library, when Mostafa Tabatabainejad failed to produce his student ID upon request. What happened next is unclear, with the UCPD reporting they made various attempts to ask Tabatabainejad to leave, and to which he failed to comply.


One thing is clear, Tabatabainejad was served several electric shocks or “tazered” for his alleged noncompliance with the officers.
The countless eyewitnesses to the event are seen in the video tape hovering around the incident simply awestruck. Many of them felt the treatment was so outrageous they demanded the officers’ badge numbers on the spot, and one was even threatened with the taser for making this request.

As of right now the story is so new the mainstream media seems to have done little more than a quick feature on the incident. ABC has a report which includes a glimpse of the video tape and the Police Chief’s response, where he encourages people not to listen solely to the contents of the videotape, specifically when Tabatabainejad repeatedly screams “I said I would leave.”

NBC’s report cited both a Sergeant who stated “If he could walk out of here, I think he’s OK,” and another statement from a witness to the incident who asked not to be identified. “Any student who witnessed it was left with an image you don’t want to remember,” the witness stated.

A local newspaper in LA was reporting as of this morning that the administration at UCLA was launching an investigation into the incident and the officers involved. After much thought I’ve decided to include a copy of the tape below. Be forewarned, it contains violence, vulgarity, and perhaps a discerning look into the world of police brutality.

Share This

Sphere: Related Content