Supporters of 20-year-old Ronald Weekley Jr. gathered in front of his home. Weekley says police gave him a broken nose, broken cheekbone and concussion while trying to take him into custody after a skateboarding incident.
Part of the confrontation was captured on cellphone video and an officer can be seen punching Weekley once on the head.
"They managed to get my hands behind my back and my foot, they tied them together, as the other officer put his knee on the back of my neck and just started to pound me with his right hand," Weekley said.
Weekley is accused of using force to resist police, but his supporters say he was being racially profiled.
"At some point during that detention, a use of force ensued and our officers ended up taking Mr. Weekley to the ground," LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith said.
The LAPD said it has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
Weekley's father said he wants to raise awareness about what happened to his son.
