October 22 is 2026 National Police Brutality Day it was established nationally in 1996
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Dozens of protesters marched in Albuquerque on Thursday night, ending their rally on the steps of Albuquerque Police Department headquarters to protest police brutality.
Police blocked off streets as protesters marched to APD, holding signs and chanting. The rally began earlier at Robinson Park.
“We’re here because time and time again, the police brutalize people. They kill people, and they get away with it. And we think that’s not right,” one protester said.
Protesters said several people have been unjustifiably killed by police in Bernalillo County this year, including Jose Armas, who was involved in an officer-involved shooting.
Body camera footage from the incident in May shows Armas firing at police while inside his home. The situation began as a welfare check after Armas’s family reported he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
“His family was not able to, like, be by his side or deescalate anything like APD escalated it. The cops who killed Jose are still on the force,” a protester said.
The shooting remains under investigation. Protesters also called for greater police accountability.
“I want to see change. I want to see more support for the people and actual protection from the police,” another protester said.
