LEWISTON, Maine — Back in April, a viral social media post showing a Black man being arrested in Lewiston for alleged disorderly conduct and other charges took no time to come under public scrutiny.
Kon Maiwan appeared in Lewiston District Court Wednesday where his lawyer challenged the state’s probable cause for arresting his client who’s charged with one count of disorderly conduct and two counts of obstructing government administration.
Maiwan spoke only a few times to answer the judge’s questions.
The viral video taken by Maiwan shows the moment he confronts a Lewiston police officer. NEWS CENTER Maine spoke with him after his arrest and he said police were following him because he’s Black.
The video appears to show Maiwan yelling at an officer who then gives him a warning. As Maiwan starts walking away, the officer then follows him. A chase ensues and Maiwan is eventually arrested.
"We challenged the state’s probable cause for the arrest which is something you can do at those proceedings," Maiwan's attorney Jesse Archer said. "It’s just rarely done."
After reviewing the case and video, Maine District Court Judge Sarah Churchill decided more time is needed to determine if police had probable cause to arrest Maiwan.
The Maine ACLU made a statement Wednesday night on the past and current role of police in public safety.
"Law enforcement throughout the United States and in Maine has a long history of targeting and terrorizing Black, Brown, Indigenous, and queer communities. The role of police in public safety must be completely reimagined and rebuilt from the ground up," Maine ACLU spokesperson Samuel Crankshaw said. "From targeting and violently arresting people living with severe mental health conditions to children who misbehave, policing not only fails to keep people safe but also traumatizes, harms, and kills minority communities in the process."