A Blaine man sits in a Pennsylvania jail cell. He was arrested during a violent protest at the G20 Summit last week in Pittsburgh. Now his parents are pleading for his release over what they call heavy-handed police tactics.
Nathan Monkelien, 21, went to Pittsburgh last week to videotape the protests at the G20 summit. But while documenting the demonstration, he was one of 190 people arrested.
Charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, he was taken into custody and his camera confiscated. His mother thinks her son may have video taped police brutality.
Rene Monkelien said, "He thinks those charges were put on him because he had something on film that they didn't want to get out."
But it's when her son was put on a police bus, that his mother says officers crossed the line.
"When he was on the bus they put a bag over his head and for most of the ride he had a bag over his head because they say he was the spitter."
Monkelien was also arrested during the Republican National Convention. Those charges were dismissed.
His parents saying he's paying too high of a price for speaking out.
So without the $8,000 bail, his parents have hired a lawyer. They're afraid it will be months before they see their son.
Pittsburgh police did not return phone calls from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS regarding their treatment of Monkelien.
His first court appearance is Wednesday morning.
Video: Family Wants Blaine Man Arrested at G20 Released |