The case of journalist Mario Guevara, widely recognized in Atlanta’s Hispanic community for his coverage of immigration issues, continues to generate a great deal of public attention. Now, the local newspaper The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) published the video of his arrest, captured by the body camera of one of the officers involved in his arrest.
The footage shows the exact moment in which Guevara is approached and handcuffed by several agents, while he was broadcasting live a protest in favor of immigrant rights. The events occurred on June 14, during a demonstration on Chamblee Tucker Road in DeKalb County, metro Atlanta.
Police video of Mario Guevara released
The police video, recorded with the body camera of one of the officers, clearly shows the moments leading up to and during the arrest of Mario Guevara.
The search begins in the midst of a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road in DeKalb County on June 14.
The scene is chaotic: you can hear the noise of the crowd, shouts from the demonstrators and orders from the police.
The officers are equipped with riot gear and masks, and there is a tense atmosphere, with smoke from what appears to be tear gas in the air.
Mario Guevara clearly appears in the video: he wears a red T-shirt and carries a vest with the word “Press” visible.
He is seen holding his cell phone with both hands, streaming live as he advances alongside the protesters.
Officers proceed to handcuff him
At one point, several officers surround him. Warnings are heard: “Get out of the road!
Mario replies in a firm voice: “I’m working, sir, I’m transmitting”.
Seconds later, an officer points toward him saying, “Red shirt, red shirt,” and immediately another officer grabs him by the arm.
Mario Guevara repeats again: “I’m a journalist, I’m working”.
However, the officers proceed to handcuff him in the middle of the street, while other demonstrators continue to be dispersed.
How Mario Guevara was arrested
The journalist continues to try to explain his situation, but is led to a police vehicle.
The recording also shows how, at the time of the arrest, Mario Guevara’s phone is still transmitting live, showing part of the police intervention.
There is no resistance from Mario Guevara.
The journalist maintains a calm and cooperative tone of voice.
Despite carrying his visible press credentials and being on information duty, the officers completed the arrest.
The video ends with Mario Guevara being placed in the back seat of a patrol car, handcuffed, while the protest continues to unfold in the surrounding area.
ICE takes it
After his arrest, Mario Guevara’s lawyers from the law firm Diaz & Gaeta Law, got the Salvadoran journalist released on signature bond, however he had an immigration hold issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Before the statutory 48 hours had passed for ICE to claim him, ICE officers arrived to pick him up and take him to a detention center.
According to Telemundo Atlanta, Mario Guevara was transferred to the Folkston Detention Center in the state of Georgia.
According to his relatives, the journalist remains there in isolation from the rest of the inmates.
New charges against him
Buzzy
Guevara’s legal outlook has become even more complicated in recent days.
As confirmed by Mario Guevara’s attorneys through their MG News page, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department has issued three new warrants for his arrest.
These orders charge him with obstruction of police work, participation in an unauthorized assembly and pedestrian traffic in a restricted area.
Guevara is also currently facing immigration proceedings after being taken into ICE custody.
This twist in his case has raised concerns among activists, who fear that the journalist will be deported despite his roots in the community.
It should be recalled that Mario Guevara’s arrest occurred while he was covering a demonstration related to the recent immigration raids in Georgia.
Mario Guevara is known for his direct coverage of these issues through the MG News platform, which maintains a large audience among Hispanic immigrants in the southeastern United States
