Video of woman being arrested in Arcata goes viral, HSU releases statement
ARCATA, Calif. — A series of videos of an arrest taking place in Arcata have gained widespread attention since they were posted on Facebook Sunday afternoon. A woman whose name on Facebook is Samantha Luna posted the video clips, along with the following statement:
"This is a video of me getting arrested yesterday at Oyster Fest by a white female cop FOR NO REASON. She pulled us over for my friend sticking her head out of the sun roof. I am not saying that was ok. BUT WE were NOT BEING RUDE, WE WERE NOT “INTOXICATED IN A PUBLIC PLACE”, we were Passengers in A CAR. Not harming anyone. She arrested my friend first and when I asked what information we needed to get her out this is how she reacted. She told me I was lying about my name. How is it they need 4 grown male cops on ONE female who weighs less than 120 pounds. It’s time for a new system. I’m a law student and this is why. People told me I should have just resisted. The reason this happens is because people would RATHER CONFORM THAN STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES. She had no need to act so unprofessional. She was seeking a reaction out of me when she should have been deescalating the situation. I REFUSE to let MY future be destroyed over a traffic stop. Please do not let this go unnoticed."
North Coast News spoke with University Police Chief Donn Peterson, who said he is unsure if there is any additional video leading up to the second arrest, adding that, "I don't think it would be fair to pass judgement," pending further investigation.
On Monday just after noon, Humboldt State University released a statement regarding the incident, since the arresting officer was a Humboldt State University Police officer. The statement starts by saying the university is "looking into" the recent arrest.
The following is the statement released by HSU:
On Saturday, June 16, the Humboldt State University Police Department was working a multi-agency operation targeting alcohol violations. In conjunction with this operation, two arrests were made off campus at 9th and F streets in Arcata. The University is looking into circumstances surrounding these arrests, as well as videos that have been shared.
University Police officers made a traffic stop at 8:21 p.m., after seeing the passenger of a vehicle hanging dangerously out of the sunroof. That person, a juvenile, was arrested on suspicion of providing false identification to a peace officer, public intoxication, and battery on a peace officer.
Following that arrest, another passenger in the vehicle, Samantha Alonso Luna, was arrested following an altercation with a UPD officer. Alonso Luna was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest, battery on a peace officer, public intoxication, and providing false identification to a police officer.
HSU President Lisa Rossbacher and UPD Chief Donn Peterson are aware of the incident, and have reviewed video of the arrest. Peterson says that there was reasonable cause to conduct the initial stop and investigate the alcohol violations that were subsequently observed. All video relating the incident is being reviewed and there will be a transparent and independent review of the arrest as well as a full internal review.
“We take underage drinking very seriously,” Peterson says. “The stop and what occurred afterwards will be thoroughly reviewed by the District Attorney.”
“I have seen the video of this arrest, and I have confidence that Chief Peterson and our University Police will conduct a thorough review,” says Rossbacher. “The external review will give our University community the opportunity to understand this incident in a full and fair light.”
Alonso Luna is not an HSU student. The name of the other arrestee is being withheld because the person is a minor.
UPD regularly assists enforcement relating to underage drinking, as well as to keep vendors and establishments in compliance with laws that restrict providing alcohol to minors.
WARNING: Video contains graphic language and may be disturbing to some viewers.