SAN LEANDRO, CA — On Good Friday, civil rights attorney and former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price called for urgent accountability following the release of disturbing video footage showing San Leandro police officers assaulting and kidnapping Shaquille Coleman, an unhoused Black man, despite determining he had committed no crime.

The incident, brought to public attention through recent media coverage, showed officers handcuffing Mr. Coleman, using force against him, pulling out his hair, threatening him with a taser, and then transporting him out of San Leandro and leaving him in Oakland — a move advocates described as both unlawful and inhumane.

“This is not just misconduct — these are crimes against an innocent victim.” said Price. “On a day that symbolizes sacrifice, justice, and humanity, we were confronted with a stark reminder of how far we still have to go. No one — no matter their housing status — should be brutalized, displaced, and discarded by those sworn to protect and serve.”

Price emphasized that the actions depicted in the video raised serious legal and ethical concerns, including potential criminal violations of assault, battery, kidnapping and a hate crime. The fact that an officer pulled Mr. Coleman’s braid out of his head is particularly troubling.

“As a civil rights attorney, I have spent my career holding systems accountable when they fail the people they are meant to serve,” Price continued. “What happened to Mr. Coleman reflects a dangerous disregard for the law — the criminalization of poverty, the dehumanization of unhoused individuals, and the systemic disregard for Black lives.”

The Anti Police-Terror Project (ATPT), a leading Oakland-based victims advocacy organization, issued a strong statement condemning the incident and calling for immediate action.

“This is what policing looks like when there is no accountability,” said Cat Brooks, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Anti Police-Terror Project. “An unarmed Black man, already vulnerable, was brutalized and then discarded like he didn’t matter. They knew he had committed no crime and still chose violence, humiliation, and displacement. That is not public safety. That is state-sanctioned harm. We are demanding a full investigation and real consequences for every officer involved.”

Price echoed those demands, calling for:

• A swift, transparent, and independent investigation into all officers involved, including supervisors by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office
• Immediate public disclosure of findings and disciplinary actions 
• Full accountability for every employee or former employee who participated in or enabled the abuse 
• A permanent end to the practice of displacing unhoused individuals across city lines 

“Oakland is not a dumping ground for other cities.” Price added. “We must reject any system that treats human beings as disposable. Justice requires not only accountability, but transformation.”

Price raised concerns about the interim appointed Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson’s decision to disband the Public Accountability Unit and the lack of transition of pending cases, questioning whether the DA’s office has any capacity or willingness to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct.

“The public deserves to know: will there be justice when law enforcement breaks the law? Especially in the time of Trump?” Price said. “Accountability must be consistent — not selective.”

The Good Friday news conference, held at community gathering place Zocalo Coffee House in San Leandro, brought together community leaders, advocates, and civil rights organizations united in demanding justice for Mr. Coleman and systemic reforms to prevent similar abuses.

“We are at a crossroads in the June primary,” Price concluded. “We can either tolerate a system that criminalizes poverty and shields misconduct — or we can choose a path rooted in dignity, equity, and true public safety.”

###

Related News

Pamela Price ICE Stand 

https://tinyurl.com/PRICE-STRONGICESTAND

DIYA TV-CSUEB Alameda County District Attorney Debate by Project Rebound— Civil Right Attorney Pamela Price & Gopal Krishan-Moderated by Alex Hall, Accountability Reporter, KQED & Diya TV’s Founder & CEO Ravi Kapur

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OjmX34X3uOI

Pamela Price Defies Recall Lies
https://tinyurl.com/AttyPamelaPriceDefiesLies

Statement of Compassion from Honorable Pamela Price on Mass Shooting March 7, 2026 in Oakland, CA

https://tinyurl.com/FmrDAPrice-OaklandMassShooting

Pamela Price Blasts Double Standard for Law Enforcement As Current Appointed DA may drop most charges in Phong Tran Bribery & Perjury Case

https://tinyurl.com/Price-PhongTranPerjury-DAError

About Committee to Re-Elect Pamela Price 2026
The Committee to Re-Elect Pamela Price 2026 (REEP) is a grassroots, corporate free campaign dedicated to the re-election of Hon. District Attorney Pamela Price. REEP is committed to preserving and advancing the achievements that promote justice, equity, and progress within our criminal justice system and protecting our democracy. We work to support leaders and policies that reflect the will and best interests of the communities they serve.

Vote to Re-Elect District Attorney Pamela Price on June 2, 2026.

Paid for by Re-Elect Pamela Price 2026, FPPC #1485362

Please note: Pamela Price does not accept any money from corporate PACs.

Media Contact
Jackie Wright, 415 525 0410
[email protected]
Wright Enterprises
Public Relations & Media Strategy
San Francisco, California