Florida police release footage of massive block party that turned violent

Law enforcement officials in Florida released video of a massive block party over the weekend after authorities were accused that they unfairly targeted black attendees.
The release came after The West Volusia Beacon newspaper reported that partygoers said authorities had treated the partygoers unfairly.
But the DeLand police chief and the Volusia County sheriff say they were told the block party was supposed to be a celebration for a man who was murdered years ago and that organizers had a permit. Authorities say there was not a permit.
The bodycam video shows officers telling attendees to get out of the road and move their cars. At another point, an officer can be seen detaining a man said to have thrown a gun prior to running from police. Attendees can also be heard screaming that the people didn’t do anything.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Monday said that there was an estimated 3,000 people at the party and officers he were punched and struck with glass bottles, a mason jar and a bar stool when the scene got out of hand.
"Because the majority of those in the crowd were black, and the deputies and police were white, we are now having ... hard conversations about race, racism and inequality," Chitwood said in a statement he posted to Facebook.
"I don't accept the accusations that our deputies and police are racists, or that their actions Saturday were racially motivated. It's not true, and it's not a fair conclusion from the video.
Post by sheriffchitwood.