An 18-year-old student was handed instant justice after launching a drink at a police officer during an anti-Ice protest in the US.
Emily Cervantes Ramos was seen lobbing a large plastic cup at the officer during the demonstration – before being swiftly chased, tackled and handcuffed.
She now faces criminal charges after her run-in with police in North Carolina – assaulting a Government official and two counts of resisting public officers.
Some 75 pupils from AL Brown High School had stormed out of their classrooms to protest Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdowns.
The demonstration took place on Friday at midday in downtown Kannapolis, roughly 30 minutes from Charlotte, according to local officials.
The incident unfolded when Ms Ramos allegedly struck a Kannapolis police officer on the head with a large fountain drink, captured in footage that has since circulated widely online.
Video recordings show a white male officer standing on a pavement while demonstrators shouted expletives at him.
The officer remained silent, occasionally making facial expressions as protesters hurled verbal abuse.
BEFORE AND AFTER: Emily Cervantes Ramos launches a plastic cup at police – and is then tackled to the ground
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“You not even an officer, you just a no life a b****,” one demonstrator was heard shouting.
The situation escalated when Ms Ramos approached the officer from behind and allegedly smashed the beverage on his head.
He immediately gave chase, tackling and handcuffing the teenager as onlookers screamed and followed the pursuit across the street.
Footage captured the officer restraining Ms Ramos on the ground whilst other officers arrived at the scene. Bystanders continued shouting abuse, with one person recording the arrest yelling: “That’s what you get you f***ing d***head.”
PICTURED: The teen protester is led away by police after her ‘assault’
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Some protesters claimed Ms Ramos had done nothing wrong, whilst others demanded officers adjust her arms, which appeared uncomfortably positioned behind her back during the arrest.
The teenager was subsequently led away in handcuffs.
Following her detention, supporters created a crowdfunding page to assist her family with what they described as a “heavy burden” from the arrest.
The online fundraising effort was soon taken down.
Kannapolis Police Chief Kerry Spry went on to vow that while his force respects the US First Amendment, illegal actions at protests require an appropriate police response to protect people and property.
The student walkout came as federal agents carried out the so-called “Operation Charlotte’s Web”, targeting what the Department of Homeland Security describes as “criminal illegal aliens who flocked to the Tar Heel State.”
Federal authorities say undocumented migrants entered North Carolina believing local politicians would shield them from enforcement.
The operation has already seen some 250 arrests in Charlotte.
Ice agents have been visible at various locations, including a Home Depot car park where activists confronted officers.
Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts joined demonstrators holding signs reading: “We stand with migrants.”
