Juanita Mendez-Medrano was selling flowers outside of a California graduation ceremony when a sheriff’s deputy approached her last month. The deputies were checking the multiple street vendors for city permits, but trouble arose when they reached Mendez-Medrano.

According to the sheriff’s department, the 52-year-old “refused to cooperate as necessary to allow [the] officer to issue her a citation.” It was also revealed that along with trying to leave, Mendez-Medrano reportedly gave several false names. The arrest was made after her alleged failed cooperation and also after she allegedly pushed the officer.

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The video below contains graphic content and viewer discretion is advised.

A statement from the department was released on Monday when outrage sparked from the footage released of the altercation, which has been making rounds on the Internet. In the video, the officer is seen holding onto Mendez-Medrano’s arm and then grabbing her hair when she attempts to walk away. The deputy later slams the woman to the ground, and it appears as if he is putting his hand over her mouth.

“Why don’t you go after gang members? Why those who are making a living?” she yells towards the officer. “Why do you go after us like this?”

The outrage has led people to leave messages on the Perris Police Department’s social media page to express their prompted anger. “I’m saddened by the brutality for the poor woman selling flowers,” wrote one user.

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Another wrote, “Grabbing that woman by the hair in order to throw her to the ground is a disgusting display of power afforded to your officers only by a badge they tarnish with this behavior. Every abuse of power delegitimizes your work and is an insult to the whatever good officers you may have. This officer has shamed your department and shamed your community.”