A local civil rights activist is calling for a community protest regarding safety and security for all.

Rev. Jarrett Maupin has been in the news before for leading protests and speaking out for minorities rights.

He held a news conference Wednesday, providing details on his plans for a protest that will “paralyze streets in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.”

Maupin is encouraging friends, family and neighbors to join in the protest, slated to begin at 7 p.m Thursday at the Mesa Police Department headquarters.

Maupin is speaking out after a man named Jason Michael Barton “was assaulted by officers” on Monday, June 19. In a news release, Maupin said: “During the nighttime encounter, which police claim was sparked by Barton illegally crossing a street, officers can be seen repeatedly and viciously punching, kicking, and beating Barton after throwing him to the ground. Barton was unarmed and posed no threat to the officers, himself, or the public.”

With video of the incident available, Maupin said in his release “This is a textbook case of police brutality. The excessive forces officers used for this alleged jaywalking offense is shocking and disgusting.”

According to Maupin, Thursday night’s rally that he is organizing will be nonviolent but purposeful, with the group demanding the immediate firing of the officers involved. Barton also spoke at the press conference, sharing his side of the story about what happened that night.

Maupin’s goal for the protest is to bring in hundreds of supporters to jaywalk in the city of Mesa after Barton’s alleged “jaywalking.”

The Mesa Police Department has not commented on the incident or Maupin’s protest plans.