by David Krough

NWCN.com

Posted on November 14, 2011 at 5:32 PM Updated today at 3:14 PM
http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=133850378&;fPath=/news/local&fDomain=10202

PORTLAND - After several requests from the public, Portland police released video of a man who says he was assaulted by police during Occupy Portland protests Sunday.

Officers said Justin Bridges fell down in between the crowd and police line, a trash can, and newspaper boxes. Police say they flex-cuffed Bridges, and he told them he was in pain from a previously broken back. Police said Bridges was able to stand and walk with officers to a nearby park bench where they awaited medics.

Some media outlets, including the Portland Mercury, initially reported Bridges' injuries and some Occupy protesters also claimed police beat him, with Bridges accusing police of brutality.

Monday night, Bridges spoke to protesters from a wheelchair, telling them: "...then they picked me up by my arms and my collar and choked me unconscious with my bandana. I told them I couldn't breathe. They laughed and said I could still breathe 'cause I could talk."

Police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said where there is a high risk, medics will not come into an area and in this case, officers did not know what had happened at the time. They brought him out of the area and to medical crews.

Bridges was taken to the hospital and was not arrested or cited. Police denied striking Bridges.