SARASOTA – Friends and family of Govinda Howell gathered at Fredd Atkins Park to rally against the use of excessive force during Howells arrest.
Video of Howell’s arrest went viral when he was arrested Saturday. Sarasota Police say Howell was ignoring officer commands and tried to ingest narcotics. More than a dozen people marched from Fredd Atkins Park to the location where Howell was arrested.
Howell’s aunt, Gilda Williams says all her family wants is justice. “It’s been kinda heavy but as you know, like I said, we’re just here for justice, we want justice done. We want it to be just not for me or for Govinda we want it to be for everybody,” said Williams.
Howell’s family has hired Attorney Antonio Romanucci to investigate the arrest.
Family members confirmed that Howell has been released from the hospital. The family says the incident shows the need for police reforms of excessive force issues and the handling of people with mental health concerns.
